title: Effects of interferon-beta-1a on neuronal survival under autoimmune inflammatory conditions.
abstract: Interferon-beta-1a (IFN-beta-1a) is an approved treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). It improves the disease course by reducing the relapse rate as well as the persistent neurological deficits. Recent MRI and post-mortem studies revealed that neuronal and axonal damage are most relevant for chronic disability in MS patients. We have characterized previously time course and mechanisms of neuronal apoptosis in a rat model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced optic neuritis. In this animal model, application of IFN-beta-1a three times per week slightly decreases the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that form the axons within the optic nerve. In contrast to neurotrophic factors, this cytokine does not directly protect cultured RGCs from apoptosis. We conclude that IFN-beta-1a is a suitable candidate to be combined with a directly neuroprotective agent in order to further decrease axonal and neuronal degeneration in MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. msaettl@gwdg.de
authors.forename: Muriel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sättler
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demmer
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Merkler
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gadjanski
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stadelmann
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bähr
authors.forename: Ricarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; C571326:MOG protein, human; C571328:Mog protein, rat; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D016899:Interferon-beta; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a