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Interferon gamma producing blood lymphocytes are decreased by interferon beta therapy in patients with multiple
H F Petereit1, S Bamborschke, A D Esse
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie und Psychiatrie, Neurologie, Medzinische Einrichtungen, Universität zu Köln, Germany.
Objective:
We studied the individual course of interferon gamma producing blood lymphocyte count (IFGC) of 15 multiple sclerosis patients started on 8 MIU beta interferon administered subcutaneously each other day.
Methods:
Mononuclear blood cells were prepared before treatment and on day 3, 9, 15, as well as after month 1, 2, 3 and 4 of therapy. After stimulation intracellular interferon gamma was detected with monoclonal fluorescent antibodies and measured by flow cytometry. IFGC is given as percentage of all gated lymphocytes.
Results:
forty-eight hours after first interferon beta application the mean IFGC dropped significantly from 11.37 to 7.09 (P < 0.05) and to 4.22 within 4 months. Whereas the majority of patients showed a decrease of IFGC from the beginning of therapy, in three of the 15 patients a transient increase of IFGC was seen suggesting a different response to immunomodulatory therapy.
Conclusions:
Interferon gamma producing lymphocyte count might be a useful tool to determine the biological effect of interferon beta therapy in multiple sclerosis patients.
Insights
Beta interferon therapy in multiple sclerosis patients significantly reduced interferon gamma producing blood lymphocyte count (IFGC) over four months. Monitoring IFGC may help assess treatment effectiveness in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Beta interferon is a common immunomodulatory therapy for MS.
- Understanding the biological effects of beta interferon is crucial for optimizing MS treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in interferon gamma producing blood lymphocyte count (IFGC) in MS patients receiving beta interferon therapy.
- To assess the utility of IFGC as a biomarker for the biological response to interferon beta treatment.
Main Methods:
- 15 MS patients were enrolled and received subcutaneous beta interferon (8 MIU) every other day.
- Blood samples were collected pre-treatment and at multiple time points up to 4 months.
- Intracellular interferon gamma was quantified using flow cytometry after lymphocyte stimulation.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in mean IFGC was observed from baseline (11.37%) to 4.22% at 4 months (P < 0.05).
- The majority of patients exhibited a declining IFGC trend during therapy.
- Three patients showed a transient increase in IFGC, indicating varied individual responses.
Conclusions:
- Interferon gamma producing lymphocyte count (IFGC) shows a dynamic response to beta interferon therapy in MS.
- IFGC monitoring could serve as a valuable tool to evaluate the biological impact of interferon beta in multiple sclerosis management.