Glatiramer acetate-specific human CD8(+) T cells: increased IL-4 production in multiple sclerosis is reduced by glatiramer acetate treatment

J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Dec;181(1-2):133-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.07.014. Epub 2006 Nov 7.

Abstract

Glatiramer acetate (GA) is an approved drug for therapy of relapsing remitting MS that acts as a T cell antigen. Here, we report the cloning of HLA restricted, GA-specific human CD8(+) T cells. In addition, we analyzed the cytokine profile of GA-reactive CD8(+) T cell lines. Unexpectedly, IL-4 was increased in untreated MS patients as compared to healthy individuals (p<0.001). In GA-treated patients, however, IL-4 (p<0.001), IL-10 (p<0.001) and TNF-alpha (p<0.001) were decreased. Thus, while GA is known to induce a TH2 bias in CD4(+) T cells, we detected a distinct pattern in GA-reactive CD8(+) T cells.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Clone Cells
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Peptides
  • Interleukin-4
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Interferon-gamma