High dose of intravenously given glucocorticosteroids decrease IL-8 production by monocytes in multiple sclerosis patients treated during relapse.

The aim of our study was to determine whether high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone have significant impact on immune parameters during the multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations. Peripheral blood of 32 MS patients was evaluated, using two-color flow cytometry before glucocorticosteroids and after 7 days from starting therapy. Significant increase of B cells, decrease of NK cells and monocytes producing IL-8 were observed after treatment. IL-8 is one of the cytokines responsible for blood-brain-barrier disruption and migration of immune cells to the central nervous system; in this aspect, explaining glucocorticosteroid effects during MS exacerbations.

Changes of percentages in immune cells phenotypes and cytokines production during two-year IFN-beta-1a treatment in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to find out whether INF-beta-1a influences the immune profile of peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes in MS patients. METHOD: We have studied 20 patients with relapsing-remitting form of MS treated with INF-beta-1a using twocolor cytometry. We determined immune cells phenotypes and production of some cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, before drug administration and after starting the treatment. RESULTS: In MS patients an increased percentage of CD14(+)CD86(+) cells and CD3(+)CD25(+) cells was noticed after 6, 9 and 12 months of INF-beta-1a therapy. Among cytokine-producing cells we noted an increased fraction of CD3(+)IL-4, CD14(+)IL-10 and CD14(+)IL-12 cells after 12 months, which decreased to the level observed before treatment after 24-month therapy. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-beta-1a treatment was associated with significant changes in immune response. This effect was mostly evident within the first year of treatment.