Chemokine receptor CCR5 in interferon-treated multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between CC chemokine receptor CCR5 expression and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with beta-interferon (IFN-beta).


METHODS
The CCR5 Delta32 allele and a CCR5 promoter polymorphism associated with cell surface expression of CCR5 were analyzed in 109 patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with IFN-beta who were followed clinically for 1 year. Cellular CCR5 expression was measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Patients with MS had a higher percentage of CCR5-positive monocytes than healthy controls. Increased monocyte expression of CCR5 correlated weakly with an increased short-term relapse risk but there was no relationship between CCR5 Delta32 allele and CCR5 promoter polymorphism genotypes and relapse risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The results do not support a major role of CCR5 in the pathogenesis of relapses in MS patients treated with IFN-beta, but it is possible that monocyte CCR5 expression may be used as a marker of disease activity.
Sellebjerg
F
F
The MS Clinic, Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 57 Nordre Ringvej, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. sellebjerg@dadlnet.dk
Kristiansen
T B
TB
Wittenhagen
P
P
Garred
P
P
Eugen-Olsen
J
J
Frederiksen
J L
JL
Sørensen
T L
TL
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers; D005819:Genetic Markers; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007372:Interferons