Azam Jamshidian1,2, Bahareh Abd-Nikfarjam3, Zahra Khademi4, Vahid Shaygannejad5, Mansoor Salehi6. 1. Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 2. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 3. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. 4. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. 5. Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 6. Department of Genetics, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Effects of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on immune cells and their cytokine production in MS, are unknown. Since interleukine-6 and tumor growth factor-β have critical roles in MS immunopathogenesis, the impacts of TPE on the expression of these cytokines and their receptors on the surface of CD4+ T lymphocytes, were investigated. METHODS: Blood cells were obtained from 30 Relapsing-Remitting (RR) MS patients, before and after a complete TPE course. Cytokines mRNA and their receptor expression on the CD4+ T cells surface were assessed using real-time PCR and flowcytometry, respectively. RESULTS: TPE reduced symptom severity (P = .01) and the relief was higher in males than in females (P = .039). TPE also increased TGF-β mRNA and decreased IL-6 receptor expressing cells frequency (P = .009 and P = .028, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of CD4+IL6R+ T cells was positively correlated with disease severity (P = .001). CONCLUSION: TPE impacts simultaneously on the TGF-β mRNA and IL-6 receptor expression, and this may be a mechanism of improvement in MS relapse symptoms induced by the TPE.
OBJECTIVE: Effects of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on immune cells and their cytokine production in MS, are unknown. Since interleukine-6 and tumor growth factor-β have critical roles in MS immunopathogenesis, the impacts of TPE on the expression of these cytokines and their receptors on the surface of CD4+ T lymphocytes, were investigated. METHODS: Blood cells were obtained from 30 Relapsing-Remitting (RR) MS patients, before and after a complete TPE course. Cytokines mRNA and their receptor expression on the CD4+ T cells surface were assessed using real-time PCR and flowcytometry, respectively. RESULTS: TPE reduced symptom severity (P = .01) and the relief was higher in males than in females (P = .039). TPE also increased TGF-β mRNA and decreased IL-6 receptor expressing cells frequency (P = .009 and P = .028, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of CD4+IL6R+ T cells was positively correlated with disease severity (P = .001). CONCLUSION: TPE impacts simultaneously on the TGF-β mRNA and IL-6 receptor expression, and this may be a mechanism of improvement in MS relapse symptoms induced by the TPE.