Effect of IFN-ß therapy on the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and Foxp3 gene expression in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): A preliminary study

Interferon-ß (IFN-ß) is an immunomodulatory drug of choice to control relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), although its function is still unclear. A reduced suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) has been shown in RR-MS patients. In this study, to understand the effect of IFN-ß on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, we analyzed the frequency and function of these cells and Foxp3 gene expression before and after treatment.

We evaluated the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells by flow cytometry and co-culture inhibition test respectively and gene expression of Foxp3 by real-time PCR in a longitudinal follow-up study in 18 relapsing–remitting MS patients. Our data revealed that IFN-ß significantly improved frequency and suppressive function of Treg cells (P<0.05) without any significant effect on gene expression of Foxp3 after 6months. The results of the present study indicate that IFN-ß therapy in some of patients with RR-MS may restore function of regulatory T cells and control the unchecked immune cascade activity. Larger longitudinal studies on more MS patients are required to confirm our findings.