Interferon-beta 1a administration results in a transient increase of serumamyloid A protein and C-reactive protein: comparison with other markers ofinflammation

Putative markers of inflammation such as serum beta2-microglobulin and neop terin have been shown to be transiently upregulated following interferon-be ta (IFN-beta) administration to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, to date the role of the important inflammatory mediators serum amyloid A pr otein (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have not been described. Here we s how that SAA but not CRP is elevated in relapsing-remitting MS patients com pared to normal healthy individuals; and furthermore that both are transien tly upregulated following intramuscular injection with IFN-beta 1a (Avonex( TM)). This pattern of expression was found to parallel that of beta2-microg lobulin and neopterin following injection and was mirrored by a selective a ctivation of peripheral monocytes with respect to upregulation of receptors known to be involved in the inflammatory response (HLA-DR, CD16 and CD86). Injection of saline solution intramuscularly to six healthy control indivi duals did not produce a similar upregulation of any of the inflammatory mar kers investigated. Following IFN-beta 1a injection, all inflammatory respon ses were attenuated at week 12 of therapy in comparison to those following the initial injection in a group of follow-up patients. In addition, IFN-be ta 1a injected on a weekly basis did not produce a sustained modulation of any of the markers investigated in patients treated for 32 weeks. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.