Time-course analysis of CD25 and HLA-DR expression on lymphocytes in interferon-beta 1b-treated multiple sclerosis patients

Mult Scler. 1998 Jun;4(3):174-7. doi: 10.1177/135245859800400316.

Abstract

To identify immunological markers that could be used to monitor relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) course/activity during interferon beta 1b (IFN beta 1b) therapy, we longitudinally studied HLA-DR and CD25 expression by T lymphocytes in 15 IFN beta 1b-treated RRMS patients. Peripheral blood T cell subsets were analysed before therapy (T0), and after 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 3 (T3), 6 (T4) and 12 (T5) months after therapy initiation. HLA-DR expression and the CD3+HLA-DR+ T cell number showed a peculiar trend in almost all (14/15) the patients: a significant decrease at T1 and T2 followed by a return to pre-treatment levels from T3 to T5. At T1 and T2, eight patients showed an up-regulation of CD25 on CD4, as well as an increase in the CD4+CD25+ cell number. However, a marked, significant reduction of this T cell subset was observed in all the patients at T3, followed by the progressive return to pre-treatment values from T4 to T5. All the patients developed anti-IFN beta 1b 'binding' antibodies within the first three months of therapy. Our findings demonstrate that: (1) the expression of HLA-DR and CD25 on T cells, as well as the number of circulating CD3+HLA-DR+ and CD4+CD25+ cells, are only transiently reduced in vivo in IFN beta 1b-treated RRMS patients, (2) the expression of HLA-DR and CD25 on T lymphocytes cannot be used to monitor MS course/activity during IFN beta 1b therapy, (3) the long-lasting beneficial effect of IFN beta 1b on RRMS reported in the literature cannot be explained by the down-regulation of MHC class II antigens and/or interleukin-2 receptor expression induced by this cytokine.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • HLA-DR Antigens / blood*
  • Humans
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / blood*
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Biomarkers
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon beta-1a