Multiplex array analysis of circulating cytokines and chemokines in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2017 Sep 15:310:91-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2017.06.012. Epub 2017 Jul 1.

Abstract

Natalizumab greatly reduces inflammatory relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) by blocking the integrin-mediated leukocyte traffic to the brain, but less is known about its effects on the systemic immunity. We measured 48 cytokines/chemokines in sera from 19 natalizumab-treated MS patients. Serum concentrations of both anti-(IL-10, IL1ra) and pro-inflammatory (IL7, IL16) molecules decreased after 21-month treatment, without associations to unbalanced Th2/Th1cytokine ratios, clinical responses, and blood/urine replication of polyomavirus JC (JCPyV). No patient developed the JCPyV-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), the major risk factor of natalizumab therapy. Our data suggest that natalizumab has marginal impact on the systemic immunity.

Keywords: Cytokines; JC virus; Natalizumab.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / urine
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • JC Virus / genetics
  • JC Virus / immunology
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Natalizumab / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Natalizumab