Atorvastatin does not alter serum levels of sCD95 and sCD95L in multiple sclerosis.
Elimination of autoreactive T cells by apoptosis is critical for restricting immune responses to self-antigens. An errant lytic interaction between the CD95 death receptor and its ligand CD95L is presumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Statins are promising agents for the treatment of MS and were shown to modulate levels of soluble death receptors. Here, we evaluated the in vivo effects by interferon (IFN)-beta and atorvastatin on soluble CD95 (sCD95) and sCD95L in serum of patients with MS. Concentrations of sCD95 and sCD95L did not show any differences between MS and healthy control subjects. In patients with MS, treatment with IFN-beta increased serum levels of sCD95 and sCD95L significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). Addition of atorvastatin to IFN-beta did not alter serum levels of sCD95 and sCD95L significantly. Our study suggests that atorvastatin does not affect IFN-beta-induced increases of the soluble death receptors in the serum of patients with MS.
Sellner
J
J
Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. sellner@lrz.tum.de
Greeve
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Findling
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Grandgirard
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D
Leib
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Mattle
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HP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000097:blood*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012995:Solubility; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D019014:fas Receptor; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000069059:Atorvastatin