VLA-4/CD49d downregulated on primed T lymphocytes during interferon-β therapy in multiple sclerosis

Effects on adhesion molecules of immune cells might contribute to the mode of action of interferon-β (IFN-β) in multiple sclerosis (MS). We have serially monitored the cell surface expression of integrins CD49d (VLA-4) and CD11a (LFA-1) on fresh T lymphocyte subpopulations from 5 MS patients monthly for 2 months prior to treatment and for 3 months on treatment with IFN-β1b. In parallel, we assessed inflammatory disease activity by monthly contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). IFN-β treatment specifically downregulated CD49d expression on CD8+ and CD4+/CD45RO+ ‘memory’ T lymphocytes and differentially modulated the proportion of CD4+, CD8+ and CD27+ T cells. These effects may play an important role in the reduction of central nervous system cell trafficking and inflammation in MS.