Open AccessInterferon Beta–Induced Restoration of Regulatory T-Cell Function in Multiple Sclerosis Is Prompted by an Increase in Newly Generated Naive Regulatory T Cells
Author(s) -
Mirjam Korporal,
Jürgen Haas,
Bettina Balint,
Benedikt Fritzsching,
Alexander Schwarz,
Sigrid Moeller,
Brigitte Fritz,
Elisabeth SuriPayer,
Brigitte Wildemann
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
archives of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1538-3687
pISSN - 0003-9942
DOI - 10.1001/archneur.65.11.1434
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , t cell , interferon , homeostasis , immunology , beta (programming language) , interferon beta 1a , interferon beta , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , computer science , programming language
Naturally occurring regulatory T (T(reg)) cells are functionally impaired in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We recently showed that prevalences of newly generated CD31-coexpressing naive T(reg) cells (recent thymic emigrant-T(reg) cells) are critical for suppressive function of circulating T(reg) cells, and a shift in the homeostatic composition of T(reg)-cell subsets related to a reduced de novo generation of recent thymic emigrant-T(reg) cells may contribute to the multiple sclerosis (MS)-related T(reg)-cell dysfunction. Interferon beta, an immunomodulatory agent with established efficacy in MS, lowers relapse rates and slows disease progression. Emerging evidence suggests that T(reg)-cell suppressive capacity may increase in patients with MS undergoing treatment with interferon beta, although the mechanisms mediating this effect are uncertain.