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Transient immunomodulation by intravenous methylprednisolone treatment of multiple sclerosis

Regional Immunology Laboratory, Belfast BT12 6BN, Northern Ireland

MT Treacy

Regional Immunology Laboratory, Belfast BT12 6BN, Northern Ireland

AG Droogan

Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BN, Northern Ireland

TA McNeill

Regional Immunology Laboratory, Belfast BT12 6BN, Northern Ireland

SA Hawkins

Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BN, Northern Ireland

The extent and duration of immunomodulation induced by high-dose corticosteroid treatment of clinical relapse of multiple sclerosis was investigated. Ten patients treated with a 5 day course of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) (500 mg daily) were studied. Circulating lymphocyte subpopulations and mitogen-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) and -interferon (-IFN) production were determined immediately before initiation of therapy (day 1), during therapy (24 h after first dose, day 2) and at 24 h and 1 week post therapy (days 6 and 12 respectively). T-cell subpopulation (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4CD45RA, CD4CD4SRO) levels fell within 24 h of initiation of therapy, rebounded above pretreatment levels at day 6 and normalised I week post therapy. Despite a reduction in total T-cell numbers during treatment, the T-cell subpopulation was not significantly altered. HLA-DR expression on B cells and monocytes declined transiently on day 2 to approximately 50% of pretherapy levels. IL-2 and -IFN production were reduced during therapy but returned to baseline levels by 24 h post therapy. The effects of IVMP on lymphocyte distribution and function appear to be short-lived and, therefore, may not be responsible for the rapid improvement associated with this form of treatment.

Key Words: methylprednisohne • lymphocytes • interleukin 2 • -interferon • flow cytometry

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 1, No. 1, 20-24 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/135245859500100104


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