Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 Interferon-ß Interferes WithHelper T-Cell Proliferation Pette M, Pette DF, Muraro PA, Farnon E, R, McFarland HFNeurology 1997 Aug;49(2):385-92National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NeuroImmunology Branch, Bethesda, MD 20892-1400, USA UI # 97416616Abstract Interferon-beta (IFN-ß) has beneficial effects on the frequency and severity of relapses, as well as on disease progression in patients suffering from Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Its mode of action, however, is not completely understood. Previous studies on T-Lymphocyte bulk cultures and T-Lymphocyte lines with specificity for different Antigens suggested that the drug might partially act via suppression of T-Cell proliferation and secretion of ProInflammatory Cytokines like Interferon-gamma (IFN-) and/or Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-). In this study we investigated the effects of human recombinant IFN-ß 1b on proliferation, Interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor (IL-2R) -chain upregulation, and Cytokine and Chemokine secretion of Myelin Basic Protein-reactive, MS patient-derived T-Cell clones secreting T-Helper Type 1 (Th1) Cytokines. IFN-ß partially suppressed both Antigen- and IL-2-driven proliferation of these cells without affecting the expression of either IL-2 or IL-2R -chain. There was no inhibitory effect on the secretion of IFN-, TNF-, and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1 , but release was rather slightly enhanced. In conclusion, while IFN-ß does reduce proliferation of Th1-like, MBP-specific T-Cells in vitro, the drug does not result in overall dysfunction of these cells. Therefore, the effect of IFN-ß on MS may not depend on a primary inhibition of potentially Encephalitogenic T-Lymphocytes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Okay, biochemistry is NOT my thing, but I think that what the abstract is basically saying is that they conducted this study because people know that interferon-beta does help against MS, but no one completely understands why it does. They did an in vitro study regarding interferon-beta's action against T-cells (helper T-cells prime effectors for their attacks). It showed that interferon-beta reduced the proliferation of these cells, but it did not directly interrupt their functioning. At least that's what this lay person derives from that. Any biochemists out there? Galoux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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