title: Interferon alpha association with neuromyelitis optica.
abstract: Interferon-alpha (IFN- α ) has immunoregulatory functions in autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The goal of this study was to determine occurrence and clinical consequences of IFN- α in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients. Thirty-six NMO and 41 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from a population-based retrospective case series were included. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and MRI findings determined disease activity. Linear regression was used to assess the effects of the level of IFN- α on disability (EDSS). IFN- α was determined by sensitive ELISA assays. IFN- α was detectable in sera from 9/36 NMO patients, significantly more often than in the MS group (2/41) (P = 0.0197). A higher frequency of IFN- α was observed in NMO patients with acute relapse compared to NMO patients in remission (P < 0.001) and compared to the MS patients with relapse (P = 0.010). In NMO patients, the levels of IFN- α were significantly associated with EDSS (P = 0.0062). It may be concluded that IFN- α was detectable in a subgroup of NMO patients. Association of IFN- α levels with clinical disease activity and severity suggests a role for IFN- α in disease perpetuation and may provide a plausible explanation for a negative effect of IFN-1 treatment in NMO patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark ; Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 19,3, 5000 Odense C, Denmark ; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 29 Sdr. Boulevard, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Asgari
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Winsloewsvej 19B, 2., 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Southern Denmark, 29 Sdr. Boulevard, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Troels
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steenstrup
authors.affiliation: Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 29 Sdr. Boulevard, 5000 Odense C, Denmark ; Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Soenderjyllands, Hospital, Egelund 10, 6200 Aabenraa, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kirsten Ohm
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Kyvik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 29 Sdr. Boulevard, 5000 Odense C, Denmark ; The Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Southern Jutland, Vejle, Esbjerg, Soenderborg, Denmark ; Department of Neurology, Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Egon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stenager
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Soeren Thue
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lillevang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016899:Interferon-beta