Higher expression of IL-12Rβ2 is associated with lower risk of relapse in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients on interferon-β1b therapy during 3-year follow-up

• Th1/Th17/Treg mediators' gene expression was altered during IFN-β1b therapy in RRMS.
• Temporal patterns of gene expression in responders and non-responders were similar.
• Higher IL-12Rβ2 mRNA levels is associated with lower relapse risk.
• IL-12Rβ2 relative expression has a potential as predictor of relapses.
• GM-CSF levels could not be linked to therapy response or relapse occurrence.

Cytokines produced by helper T (Th)1 cells, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) immunopathogenesis. Interferon (IFN)-β alters the numerous genes' expression, but how this alteration affects the treatment response is still elusive. We assessed relative gene expression of nineteen Th1/Th17/Treg-associated mediators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma levels of GM-CSF, IL-17A and IL-17F, in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) patients before IFN-β1b treatment initiation and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of therapy. All mRNA levels changed significantly during the IFN-β1b therapy. Higher IL-12Rβ2 mRNA levels were associated with lower risk of relapse. Despite recent reports regarding role of GM-CSF in MS, our study failed to demonstrate its significance as therapy response biomarker, both on the mRNA and protein level.

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