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Modulation of IFNAR1 mRNA expression in multiple sclerosis patients
Federico Serana1, Alessandra Sottini, Claudia Ghidini
1Laboratorio di Biotecnologie, Diagnostic Department, Spedali Civili di Brescia, p.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
Journal of Neuroimmunology
|May 17, 2008
Summary
Interferon-beta receptor 1 (IFNAR1) mRNA levels are lower in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon-beta. However, IFNAR1 mRNA increases in patients responding to treatment, suggesting a compensatory mechanism for receptor loss.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The interferon-beta receptor (IFNAR) comprises IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 subunits.
- IFNAR2 exists in functional (IFNAR2.2), non-functional (IFNAR2.1), and soluble (IFNAR2.3) isoforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interferon-beta receptor (IFNAR) component mRNA levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- To determine if IFNAR1 mRNA levels correlate with interferon-beta (IFN-β) bioactivity in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Real-Time PCR analysis of mRNA for IFNAR components.
- Analysis of patients naive for therapy and those undergoing long-term IFN-β treatment.
- Stratification of treated patients based on Myxovirus protein-A mRNA production (a marker of IFN-β bioactivity).
Main Results:
- IFNAR1 mRNA levels were lower in MS patients treated with IFN-β compared to healthy controls.
- IFNAR1 mRNA levels in treated patients approached control values only in those producing Myxovirus protein-A.
- Chronic IFN-β stimulation can lead to IFNAR protein downregulation.
Conclusions:
- The observed increase in IFNAR1 mRNA in responsive patients may counteract IFNAR protein downregulation.
- This upregulation could enhance cell responsiveness to interferon-beta in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients.
- IFNAR1 mRNA levels may serve as a biomarker for treatment response in MS.
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