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Objective A large number of disease-modifying drugs are available for multiple sclerosis ( MS); however, there is no established biomarker to predict long-term disease severity and future relapses in MS. We aimed to clarify the alterations in peripheral blood T cell subsets that are associated with MS relapse and disease severity, according to cytokine production profiles in the remission phase. Methods Blood samples collected from 29 relapsing-remitting MS patients in the remission phase and 21 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed for various cytokine-producing T cell subsets by flow cytometry. Results MS patients in the remission phase had significantly higher percentages of interleukin ( IL)-17+ CD4+ T cells, IL-4+ CD4+ T cells, IL-9+ CD4+ T cells, interferon-γ+ CD8+ T cells and IL-4+ CD8+ T cells than HC ( P = 0.047, P = 0.007, P = 0.026, P = 0.015 and P = 0.007, respectively). In MS, the percentages of IL-9+ CD4+ T cells, IL-9+ CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+ IL-17+ CD8+ T cells showed a significant positive correlation with annualized relapse rates (ARR) ( P = 0.011, r = 0.47, P = 0.007, r = 0.49 and P = 0.044, r = 0.38, respectively). Conclusions In the remission phase of MS, both anti-inflammatory cytokine-producing T cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine-producing T cells are increased; however, only the percentages of pro-inflammatory cytokine-producing T cells, such as IL-9-producing CD4+ T cells, IL-9-producing CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ- and IL-17-producing CD8+ T cells, correlate with ARR. These pro-inflammatory cytokine-producing T cells in the remission phase might be candidate biomarkers for future relapses in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Multiple sclerosis ( MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and is generally considered to be mediated by T helper (Th) 1/Th17 cells. Interferon-β ( IFNβ) is widely used as a disease-modifying MS drug, but its effects on Th17 cells are still disputed. Furthermore, the effects of IFNβ on Th9 cells have not been elucidated. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of IFNβ on cytokines/growth factors in cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF) and cytokine-producing Th cells in peripheral blood. Methods First, the frequency of IFNγ, interleukin ( IL)-17A, IL-9, and IL-4-producing Th cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry in 34 MS patients and 15 healthy volunteers enrolled in the cytokine-producing Th cell study. Second, levels of 27 cytokines/growth factors in the CSF were measured using a multiple fluorescence bead-based immunoassay in 34 MS patients enrolled in the cytokines/growth factors study. Results We found a significantly higher frequency of IL-4− IL-9+ CD4+ T cells and lower frequency of IFNγ+ IL-17A− CD4+ cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes in the 10 MS patients who had received IFNβ than in the 24 MS patients who had not received IFNβ or the 15 healthy controls ( P < 0.05). The seven MS patients who received IFNβ showed significantly lower IL-17A levels in CSF than did the 27 MS patients who had not received IFNβ ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The present results suggest the suppression of IL-17A production in the central nervous system and augmentation of Th9 cells in the peripheral blood by IFNβ in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on several topics discussed at the seventh congress of the Pan-Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS) held on November 6-8, 2014 at Taipei, Taiwan which discusses multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is presented. Topics include autoimmune astrocytopathy, development of immunomodulatory treatment, and surrogate markers for axonal injury in cerebrospinal fluid. The conference featured Professors including Dean Wingerchuk.