Effect of interferon beta-1a on B7.1 and B7.2 B-cell expression and its impact on T-cell proliferation

► B-cell modulation in vitro suggests a mechanism for IFN β-1a therapy in MS. ► IL-10 production and B7.2 expression in B cells were upregulated by IFN β-1a. ► PBMC-derived B-cell expression of B7.1 was decreased by IFN β-1a. ► IFN β-1a suppresses the B cell-mediated T-cell proliferation.