Migration of T-cell subsets in multiple sclerosis and the effect of interferon-beta1a.
OBJECTIVE
Migration of inflammatory cells across the blood-brain barrier is a central event in the formation of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and is known to be enhanced in MS patients. This study investigates the migration of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets and the effects of interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) treatment on migration and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) production of these T-cell subsets.


METHODS
An ex vivo transwell system was established to compare the migratory behaviour of lymphocytes isolated from normal controls and untreated MS patients. In addition, MS patients were investigated longitudinally after initiation of IFN-beta1a treatment.


RESULTS
Migration of CD4+ T cells (P < 0.05), but not of CD8+ T cells, was enhanced in untreated MS patients compared with controls and was normalized by treatment with IFN-beta1a. In addition, IFN-beta1a treatment reduced MMP-9 production of CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, contribute to the enhanced ex vivo migration observed in MS.
Dressel
A
A
Department of Neurology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. adressel@neurologie.uni-greifswald.de
Mirowska-Guzel
D
D
Gerlach
C
C
Weber
F
F
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a