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Published on: March 24, 2015
Interferon-beta1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis
William A Sheremata1, Wenche Jy, Sylvia Delgado
1Department of Neurology, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
Background:
A correlation between plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels and clinical, as well as brain MRI activity, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been previously reported. However, the effect(s) of treatment with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) on plasma levels of CD31+EMP has not been assessed. In a prospective study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP levels in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
Methods:
Using flow cytometry, in a blinded study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP in 30 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) prior to and 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after initiation of intramuscular therapy with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a), 30 micrograms weekly. At each visit, clinical examination was performed and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were assessed.
Results:
Plasma levels of CD31+EMP were significantly reduced from 24 through 52 weeks following initiation of treatment with IFN-beta1a.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that serial measurement of plasma CD31+EMP levels may be used as a surrogate marker of response to therapy with INF-beta1a. In addition, the decline in plasma levels of CD31+EMP further supports the concept that IFN-beta1a exerts stabilizing effect on the cerebral endothelial cells in pathogenesis of MS.
Insights
Treatment with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) significantly reduced plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This suggests CD31+EMP may serve as a biomarker for treatment response and endothelial cell stabilization in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis
Background:
- Plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) correlate with disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The impact of interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) therapy on CD31+EMP levels in MS remains uncharacterized.
- This study investigated the effect of IFN-beta1a on CD31+EMP in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) therapy on plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticle (CD31+EMP) levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
- To determine if CD31+EMP can serve as a surrogate marker for therapeutic response to IFN-beta1a in MS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, blinded study involving 30 RRMS patients.
- Plasma CD31+EMP levels measured by flow cytometry at baseline and 4, 12, 24, and 52 weeks post-IFN-beta1a initiation.
- Clinical assessments including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were performed at each visit.
Main Results:
- Plasma CD31+EMP levels showed a statistically significant reduction from 24 to 52 weeks after initiating IFN-beta1a treatment.
- No significant changes were noted in clinical assessments or EDSS scores within the study period.
Conclusions:
- Serial measurement of plasma CD31+EMP levels may indicate therapeutic response to IFN-beta1a in MS patients.
- The observed decline in CD31+EMP supports a stabilizing effect of IFN-beta1a on cerebral endothelial cells in MS pathogenesis.
