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The immunoregulatory abilities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the course of multiple sclerosis

J Ziaber1, J Paśnik, Z Baj

  • 1Department of Neurology, Military Medical Academy, Lódź, Poland.

Mediators of Inflammation
|January 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) show preactivation during multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbation and chronic progressive MS. This involves increased TNF-alpha binding and expression of specific immune molecules, suggesting PMN involvement in MS pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play a key role in immune responses and inflammation.
  • Their specific involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated.
  • Understanding PMN behavior in MS can offer insights into disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of specific molecules on PMN in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To assess PMN binding of TNF-alpha and expression of beta2-integrins (CD11a, CD11b, CD18) and antigens CD10/CD13.
  • To compare these markers in different MS disease courses (exacerbation, chronic progressive, remission) versus controls.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze PMN.
  • Studied were the binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-stained TNF-alpha.
  • Assessed expression of CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD10 (neutral endopeptidase-NEP), and CD13 (aminopeptidase N; APN) antigens.

Main Results:

  • PMN from MS patients in exacerbation and chronic progressive MS showed significantly higher stained-TNF-alpha binding compared to MS remission or other neurological diseases (OND) patients.
  • Elevated expression of CD11b, CD18, CD10, and CD13 antigens was observed on PMN during MS exacerbation and chronic progressive MS.
  • These changes indicate a state of preactivation in PMN during active MS disease phases.

Conclusions:

  • Increased expression of studied molecules on PMN suggests PMN priming in active MS.
  • Findings provide direct evidence for the involvement of PMN in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.
  • PMN preactivation may represent a therapeutic target for managing MS.

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