title: Evaluation of serum levels of chemokines during interferon-β treatment in multiple sclerosis patients: a 1-year, observational cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The molecules that provide access to activated T cells in the CNS, including chemokines, have been considered to be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated serial serum chemokine levels in patients with relapsing-remitting MS over 1 year and the association of these chemokine levels with treatment regimens, lesions on MRI and patients' characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL4 and CCL5 levels were evaluated using ELISA every 2 months for a year in 28 healthy controls and 28 MS patients during their treatment with interferon (IFN)-β. Patients underwent MRI and were evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the first and final evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CXCL10 serum levels were higher in MS patients compared with controls, were positively correlated with T2 lesions on MRI and were slightly increased during relapses. Treatment with IFNβ-1a or IFNβ-1b was associated with increased CXCL10 levels when evaluated more than 36 hours after subcutaneous injection. The CXCL9 levels were higher after MS relapse. There was significant variability in CCL4 and CCL5 levels in the serial evaluations, associated with gender and treatment. CCL2 levels were higher in treated MS patients than healthy controls, particularly among those patients with a stable form of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum is a feasible resource for searching for an immunological marker in MS. Peripheral chemokine levels correlated in different ways with IFNβ therapy and with disease and patient characteristics.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN45526724.
authors: School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, and Department of Neurology, Hospital das Clínicas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. elizcomini@gmail.com
authors: Elizabeth R
authors: ER
authors: Comini-Frota
authors: Antonio L
authors: AL
authors: Teixeira
authors: Janaína P A
authors: JP
authors: Angelo
authors: Marcus V
authors: MV
authors: Andrade
authors: Doralina G
authors: DG
authors: Brum
authors: Damacio R
authors: DR
authors: Kaimen-Maciel
authors: Norma T
authors: NT
authors: Foss
authors: Eduardo A
authors: EA
authors: Donadi
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D054407:Chemokine CCL4 / Q000097:blood; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000097:blood; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000097:blood; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9 / Q000097:blood; D018925:Chemokines / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9; D018925:Chemokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta