RANTES production and expression is reduced in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon-beta-1b

Abstract
RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), a CC chemokine, appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), enhancing the inflammatory response within the nervous system. We have demonstrated that RANTES production is increased in RR-MS compared to controls. Interferon-β-1b (IFN-β-1b) treatment reduces RANTES production in sera and peripheral blood adherent mononuclear cell (PBAM) supernatants both in relapse and remission. IFN-β-1b also reduces RANTES expression in PBAM. Our results suggest that RANTES modulation might represent one of the mechanisms of action of IFN-β-1b in RR-MS.

Keywords
Chemokines; RANTES; Multiple sclerosis; Interferon-β; Adherent monocytes; RT-PCR