Cytokines and adhesion molecules in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon-β1b

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), is thought to be caused by a T cell-mediated attack on CNS myelin and axons. Recombinant interferon (IFN)-β is an established treatment of multiple sclerosis, and is known to reduce the number of disease relapses and the development of irreversible symptoms and signs of disease. The mechanism of action of IFN-β treatment is, however, not completely understood. Previous studies have suggested major effects on mononuclear cell cytokine production and T cell migration, but results have been inconsistent. We found decreases in CD4 and CD8 T cell expression of the CD49d/VLA-4 molecule, increases in plasma concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), and increases in plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-12 p40 chain in patients with MS who were initiated on de novo treatment with IFN-β1b. We found only minor associations between the different changes induced by IFN-β1b-treatment. Our findings are consistent with changes in T cell expression of CD49d/VLA-4 and induction of sVCAM-1 as important effects of treatment with IFN-β1b in multiple sclerosis, whereas the role of changes in TNF and IL-12 p40 chain concentrations is more difficult to interpret.