Interferon Signature's Members, a Novel Altered Correlation upon Interferon-β Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system and is characterized by extensive brain damage and neurodegeneration. Immunological, genetic, and histological analyses of MS patients provide data in support of the concept that autoimmunity plays a crucial role in the condition's course. It has been proposed that MS may be treated with interferon (IFN)-β and other members of the type I family.

OBJECTIVE

Low levels of type I IFN in MS patients may affect immunological control, establish the threshold for an IFN therapeutic response, and be "primed" or "fixed" by IFN therapy.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression of two critical IFN regulatory genes, IFI44 and MX1, in MS patients receiving IFN-β treatment.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated a considerable rise in the expression of both genes in MS patients treated with IFN-β compared to those newly diagnosed with the illness. In addition, IFI44 and MX1 might be positively associated with their expression after IFN-β therapy and be regarded as IFN-β responsiveness indicators.

CONCLUSION

The IFI44/MX1 axis could act as one of the crucial regulators of the disease following IFN-β treatment.