title: Soluble MHC class I chain-related protein B serum levels correlate with disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Recent studies demonstrated that dysregulation of NKG2D and its ligands, leading to activation of autoreactive effector cells, can trigger autoimmune diseases, but soluble forms of these ligands can downmodulate NKG2D expression in T effector cells. We investigated the presence of soluble major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A or B (MICA or MICB) molecules in sera of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and whether they play a role in the progression of the disease. Although soluble MICA serum levels did not differ, soluble MICB serum levels were higher in MS patients compared with controls. Moreover, the highest MICB levels were in MS patients during relapses. Using immunohistochemistry techniques, it was possible to locate MIC expression in neurons of MS demyelinating plaques that were intracellularly accumulated. Elevated soluble MICB levels exist in serum of multiple sclerosis patients related with disease activity. This may contribute to the modulation of immune response activity during relapses.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Histocompatibilidad y Transplantes, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fernández-Morera
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rodero
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lahoz
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tuñon
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Astudillo
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Garcia-Suarez
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Borra
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Vázquez
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: Segundo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Larrea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A; C098080:MICB antigen