Refereed article in conference proceedings (A4)
Mechanism of action of IFN-beta in the treatment of multiple sclerosis - A special reference to CD73 and adenosine
List of Authors: Airas L, Niemela J, Yegutkin G, Jalkanen S
Editors: Gershwin ME, Shoenfeld, Y
Conference name: 5th International Congress on Autoimmunity
Place: Oxen
Publication year: 2007
Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Book title *: AUTOIMMUNITY, PT B: NOVEL APPLICATIONS OF BASIC RESEARCH
Journal name in source: AUTOIMMUNITY, PT B: NOVEL APPLICATIONS OF BASIC RESEARCH
Journal acronym: ANN NY ACAD SCI
Volume number: 1110
Start page: 641
End page: 648
Number of pages: 8
ISBN: 978-1-57331-709-2
ISSN: 0077-8923
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1196/annals.1423.067
IFN-beta treatment reduces the relapse rate in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the exact mechanism of action of the drug has remained elusive. CD73 (ecto-5'-nucleotidase) is an ectoenzyme, which produces adenosine from adenosine monophosphate (AMP) precursor by enzymatic dephosphorylation. AMP is known to be abundantly present at sites of inflammation, and more importantly adenosine, the product of CD73, is known to possess both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity. Our preliminary work has shown that IFN-beta increases the expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase on endothelial cells (ECs) both in vitro and after systemic treatment of MS patients in vivo. In the majority of MS patients also an increase in the soluble serum CD73 was noted after IFN-beta treatment. Importantly, this correlated with the clinical outcome. CD73 expression on central nervous system (CNS) microvasculature was confirmed with stainings of frozen tissue sections of MS brain samples taken at autopsy. Adenosine, a known neuroprotective agent, might contribute to the beneficial effects of IFN-beta on MS.