title: Polymorphonuclear Cell Functional Impairment in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Preliminary Data.
abstract: Multiple Sclerosis patients run an increased risk of microbial infections, which leads to high rates of hospitalization and infection-related mortality. Although immunotherapy may increase infection risk in some cases, data as to the relationship among microbial factors, immunotherapy and alterations in the innate immunity of these patients are still scanty. On these grounds, this interdisciplinary study aims at investigating the role the functional activity of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) play in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis at different stages. The in vitro ability of PMNs from patients, either untreated or treated with immunosuppressant or immunomodulatory drugs to kill Klebsiella pneumonia or Candida albicans, were investigated and compared to PMNs from healthy subjects. The release of various cytokines was also assessed, as was the production of reactive oxygen species and their ability to regulate apoptosis after microbial stimulation. Our results indicate that although patients have a normal number of PMNs, they have a statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in intracellular killing activity. Although variations are strongly related to the therapeutic management of patients, they are independent from their disease stage. As no statistically significant differences were observed between patients and controls in cytokine release values, reactive oxygen species production or apoptosis, we came to the conclusion that other factors may be involved. Supportive validation of these results from further studies might well help in identifying a subset of patients at high risk of infection who could benefit from a closer follow-up and/or antibiotic prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allizond
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scutera
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Immunology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.affiliation: ASL TO3 Rivoli Hospital, Rivoli (Turin), Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crocillà
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trebini
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa Simona
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cuffini
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology*; D000069442:Natalizumab / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D000069442:Natalizumab; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species