title: The effects of high dose interferon-β1a on plasma microparticles: correlation with MRI parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We previously reported a correlation between levels of micro particles carrying CD31 (PMP(CD31+)) and disease activity in MS. However, the effects of long term (12 month) treatment with high dose, high frequency interferon-β1a (Rebif™) on plasma levels of PMP(CD31+), PMP(CD146+), and PMP(CD54+) and MRI measures of disease activity have not yet been assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  During this prospective 1-year study, we used flow cytometry to measure changes in plasma micro particles (PMP) bearing CD31 (PMP(CD31+)), CD146 (PMP(CD146+)), and CD54/ICAM-1 (PMP(CD54+)) in 16 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) before and after 3, 6, and 12 months of subcutaneous therapy with interferon-beta1a (44 micrograms, 3X weekly). At each visit, clinical exams and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of PMP(CD31+), and PMP(CD54+) were significantly reduced by treatment with IFN-β1a. PMP(CD146+) appeared to decrease only at 3 months and did not persist at 6 and 12 months (p = 0.0511). In addition, the decrease in plasma levels of PMP(CD31+) and PMP(CD54+) levels at 12 months were associated with a significant decrease in the number and volume of contrast enhancing T1-weigthed lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that serial measurement of plasma micro particles (PMP), particularly in the initial stages of MS (when neuro-inflammatory cascades are more intense), may serve as reliable and reproducible surrogate markers of response to IFN-β1a therapy for MS. In addition, the progressive decline in plasma levels of PMP(CD31+) and PMP(CD54+) further supports the concept that IFN-β1a exerts stabilizing effect on the cerebral endothelial cells during pathogenesis of MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lowery-Nordberg
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Toledo
authors.forename: Meghan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chalamidas
authors.forename: Jeanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGee-Brown
authors.forename: Chaitanya V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Ganta
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minagar
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cousineau
authors.forename: J Steven
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D051929:CD146 Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000187:drug effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D051929:CD146 Antigen; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a