Expression of interferon type-I receptor isoforms, clinical response and development of neutralizing antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients – results of a prospective study

Abstract

AbstractOne of the first line treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is interferon-β (IFNb), a cytokine with immune-modulatory effects. There is a high degree of variability in the response to the drug which is, among other factors, due to the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NABs) occurring late during therapy.The objective of this study was to determine whether the response to IFNb therapy and NAB development can be predicted based on the expression levels of the type-I interferon receptors IFNAR1, IFNAR2a, IFNAR2b, and IFNAR2c before start of treatment. The IFNAR expression levels in 163 samples of patients with relapsing-remitting MS were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Pre-treatment IFNAR2c expression levels were somewhat lower in patients who developed NAB during treatment compared to NAB-negative patients. No significant differences in the expression levels of other IFNAR subtypes and isotypes were found. Baseline IFNAR levels were not predictive of the clinical response after 2 years.Overall, there was a small, non-significant effect of IFNAR2c baseline levels on NAB development but no relation to clinical endpoints. Lower expression of IFNAR2c receptors could lead to higher IFNb levels inducing a higher rate of antibody response.