Expression of genmxa relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis responders and nonresponders to interferon beta therapy

Mahtab Fattahi sadegh abadi,1,* Nahid eskandari,2 Fattah sotoodehnejadnematalahi ,3 Vahid shaygannejad,4

1. Department of Biology,school of Basic Science ,Science and research branch, Islamic Azad University,poonak, Tehran, Iran
2. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3. Department of Biology,school of Basic Science ,Science and research branch, Islamic Azad University,poonak, Tehran, Iran
4. Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

: multiple sclerosis (ms) is a chronic, inflammatory and demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system. several therapies are available for the treatment of ms. interferon beta (ifn-β) represents one of the most commonly administered drugs for the treatment of the rr-ms patients. myxovirus resistance protein a (mxa) is a molecule induced after injection of ifn-b, and its quantification could be considered a biomarker of ifn-b bioactivity. the purpose of this study was to evaluate genmxa expression in responders and non- responders patients to interferon beta treatment in isfahan population.

Methods

A total of 70 patients including responders and non-responders to ifn-b (n=35) were enrolled. we analyzed the expression level of genmxa using peripheral blood from rr-ms patients at 12 months after starting with ifn-β therapy. real-time qpcr was performed to analyze genmxa expression.

Results

These results indicated that genmxa expression was increased in responders compared to controls, but this upregulation wasn’t seen in non-responders. moreover, the level of mxa was increased in responders compared to nonresponders, (p < 0.01.)

Conclusion

Mxa expression levels may act as a marker of the biological effects of ifn-β therapy. the low levels of mxa in non-responders group could explain the ineffectiveness of this treatment in some patients.

Keywords

Interferon-beta; multiple sclerosis; genmxa