IFNbeta therapy progressively normalizes the increased ex vivo T lymphocyte apoptosis observed in active patients with multiple sclerosis.
Abnormal apoptosis has been reported in circulating T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis. The effects of 12 months of IFNbeta treatment in T and B lymphocyte spontaneous ex vivo apoptosis were studied in patients with MS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 48 patients before and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment with IFNbeta. Spontaneous ex vivo apoptosis was quantified by four-color flow cytometry. A significant reduction and normalization of the percentage of apoptotic cells was found in all T lymphocyte subsets. B cell apoptosis values were unaffected by therapy; Relapses of the clinical activity of the disease were associated to transitory upturns of lymphocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, IFNbeta therapy progressively normalizes the increased ex vivo T lymphocyte apoptosis observed in MS. However, it is not clear if this reduction in spontaneous T lymphocyte apoptosis is due to direct effect of IFNbeta or secondary to decreased clinical and sub-clinical activity.
García-Merino
Antonio
A
Neuroimmunology Unit, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Barcenilla
Hugo
H
Díaz
David
D
Monserrat
Jorge
J
Prieto
Alfredo
A
Alvarez-Mon
Melchor
M
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017252:CD3 Complex; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens