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Interferon β‐1a reduces increased interleukin‐16 levels in multiple sclerosis patients
Author(s) -
Nischwitz S.,
Faber H.,
Sämann P. G.,
Domingues H. S.,
Krishnamoorthy G.,
Knop M.,
MüllerSarnowski F.,
Yassouridis A.,
Weber F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.12215
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein , interleukin 17 , medicine , immunology , experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , interferon gamma , interleukin , myelin , immune system , t cell , pathogenesis , cytokine , central nervous system
Objectives There is convergent evidence for an important role of interleukin‐16 ( IL ‐16) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis ( MS ). IL ‐16 serves as a chemoattractant for different immune cells that are involved in developing lesions. Here, we compared IL ‐16 levels of MS patients and controls and addressed the long‐term effect of IFN ‐ β , the most common immunomodulatory MS therapy, on IL ‐16 serum levels in MS patients over 2 years. Beyond this, we analysed the expression of IL ‐16 in two CD 4 + T‐cell subsets, Th1 and Th17 cells, which are important autoimmune mediators and affected by IFN ‐ β treatment, derived from myelin‐specific T‐cell transgenic mice. Materials and methods IL ‐16 serum levels of 17 controls and of 16 MS patients before therapy and at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 during IFN ‐ β 1a therapy were determined by ELISA . MRI was performed before therapy, at months 12 and 24. IL ‐16 expression of in vitro differentiated murine myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein ( MOG )‐specific Th1 and Th17 cells was quantified by real‐time PCR . Results Before therapy, MS patients showed significantly elevated IL ‐16 levels compared with controls irrespective of disease activity determined by MRI . Therapy with IFN ‐ β 1a led to a significant linear decrease in IL ‐16 serum levels beginning after 2 months. MOG ‐specific Th17 cells expressed more IL ‐16 than Th1 cells. Conclusions Reduction in increased IL ‐16 levels may be of relevance for the therapeutic effect of IFN ‐ β 1a in MS . Easily accessible IL ‐16 serum levels hold a potential as biomarker of treatment efficacy in MS .