Related Experiment Videos
Reduced adhesion of PBMNCs to endothelium in methylprednisolone-treated MS patients: preliminary results
Abstract:
Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic steroid commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. It has a wide spectrum of activities on immune cells: it might also act by preventing mononuclear cell/endothelium adhesion. We studied adhesion phenomena between cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and PBMNCs (CD45+, CD14+) from 6 MS patients treated in vivo with MP. We also studied fluctuations in CD11a and CD18 levels on lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as changes in serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations. After MP treatment, PBMNCs adhesion to endothelium decreased at 3 h, while it went back to baseline levels at 24 h. A tendency to increase in both CD11a and CD18 on the surface of lymphocytes was detected, while an increase in serum sVCAM-1 was seen at 3 h.
Insights
Methylprednisolone (MP) treatment reduced immune cell adhesion to blood vessel walls in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. While initial adhesion decreased, certain immune cell markers showed a tendency to increase post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic corticosteroid used for multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses.
- MP exhibits broad immune cell activity, potentially including the inhibition of mononuclear cell/endothelium adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of in vivo MP treatment on mononuclear cell adhesion to endothelial cells in MS patients.
- To analyze changes in immune cell surface markers (CD11a, CD18) and soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1) following MP administration.
Main Methods:
- Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from MP-treated MS patients.
- Flow cytometry was used to assess CD11a and CD18 expression on lymphocytes and monocytes.
- Serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured.
Main Results:
- PBMNC adhesion to HUVECs significantly decreased at 3 hours post-MP treatment, returning to baseline by 24 hours.
- A trend towards increased CD11a and CD18 expression was observed on lymphocytes.
- Serum sVCAM-1 levels showed an increase at 3 hours post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- In vivo methylprednisolone treatment transiently reduces immune cell adhesion to the endothelium in multiple sclerosis patients.
- MP may influence immune cell adhesion dynamics through complex modulations of cell surface and soluble adhesion molecules.