High dose methylprednisolone induces FcgammaRI on granulocytes in MS-patients

O Torkildsen1, C A Vedeler, E Ulvestad

  • 1The Multiple Sclerosis National Competence Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Section for Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. oivind.torkildsen@gmail.com

Immune complexes impinge on receptors for the Fc domain of IgG (FcgammaR) and may thus influence the disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed FcgammaR distribution on monocytes and granulocytes in twenty relapsing-remitting MS patients at baseline, immediately after a five day course of high dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) treatment and after two months. After a five day course of IVMP the proportion of granulocytes with FcgammaRI was increased, P=0,002. There was no change in FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIII expression. The effect of IVMP on FcgammaRI expression could be important for the clearance of immune complexes in MS.

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