title: Interferon-beta1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A correlation between plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels and clinical, as well as brain MRI activity, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been previously reported. However, the effect(s) of treatment with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) on plasma levels of CD31+EMP has not been assessed. In a prospective study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP levels in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using flow cytometry, in a blinded study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP in 30 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) prior to and 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after initiation of intramuscular therapy with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a), 30 micrograms weekly. At each visit, clinical examination was performed and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of CD31+EMP were significantly reduced from 24 through 52 weeks following initiation of treatment with IFN-beta1a.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that serial measurement of plasma CD31+EMP levels may be used as a surrogate marker of response to therapy with INF-beta1a. In addition, the decline in plasma levels of CD31+EMP further supports the concept that IFN-beta1a exerts stabilizing effect on the cerebral endothelial cells in pathogenesis of MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sheremata
authors.forename: Wenche
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jy
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minagar
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLarty
authors.forename: Yeon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ahn