Study of binding and neutralising antibodies to interferon-? in two groups of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

• Published in: Journal of neurology 2001-05, Vol.248 (5), p.383-388
• Main Authors: Fern ndez, Oscar, Mayorga, Cristobalina, Luque, Gloria, Guerrero, Miguel, Guerrero, Roc o, Leyva, Laura, Le n, Antonio, Blanca, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies; Biological activity; Cytokines; Enzymes; Interferon; Multiple sclerosis; Neurology; Patients; Phosphatase
• ISSN: 0340-5354; 1432-1459
• DOI: 10.1007/s004150170178

Interferon (IFN)-β is generally considered an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS); however, some patients do not respond to this therapy, possibly due to the production of neutralising antibodies (NAB) which can prevent the biological effect of IFN-β. We compared the two types of IFN-β, the glycosylated IFN-β^sub 1a^ and the non-glycosylated IFN-β^sub 1b^, as their chemical differences may entail differing immunogenic capacities. We studied 22 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-β^sub 1a^ and 31 treated with IFN-β^sub 1b^ for 1 year, using the same assay and criteria, to compare the two types of IFN-β in their ability to induce binding and neutralising antibodies and examined the correlation of the findings with the clinical data. Binding antibodies to IFN-β^sub 1a^ and IFN-β^sub 1b^ were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A bioassay was used to detect and quantify the NABs to IFN-β, measuring the capacity of NABs to block the antiviral resistance induced by IFNs. Binding antibodies were found in 32 % of those treated with IFN-β^sub 1a^ and in 52 % of those treated with IFN-β^sub 1b^; NABs were found in 14 % and 24 %, respectively. Both groups showed a significant decrease in relapse rate during the first year of treatment. These results demonstrate that the IFN-β^sub 1b^ molecule is more immunogenic than the IFN-β^sub 1a^ molecule. This may be due to the non-glycosylated, chemical structure of the former, which can produce aggregates and enhance antibody production. No association was found between the presence of NABs and the clinical status of the patients.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]