RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Chemokines are involved in migration of inflammatory cells to the central nervous system (CNS) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was the analysis of the impact of MS treatment on CCL5-induced migration of leukocyte subpopulations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Migration of lymphocytes and monocytes from blood of MS patients treated with methylprednisolone (MP) or mitoxantrone (MTX) was analysed in a chemotaxis chamber. RESULTS: CCL5-induced migration of lymphocytes from untreated MS patients was significantly increased over controls. The treatment of MS with MP and MTX reduced this chemotaxis. The plasma level of CCL5 was increased in MS patients before treatment and was also significantly decreased in the treatment of MS with MP and MTX. CONCLUSIONS: This observation supports the hypothesis that in MS, chemokine CCL5 may induce migration of leukocytes to the CNS and suggests that treatment of the disease with MP and MTX may reduce this migration.