Interferon-beta1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis.
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.
Sheremata
William A
WA
Department of Neurology, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
Jy
Wenche
W
Delgado
Sylvia
S
Minagar
Alireza
A
McLarty
Jerry
J
Ahn
Yeon
Y