Interferon beta in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: Mechanisms of action

V. Wee Yong, Sophie Chabot, Olaf Stuve, Gary Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

336 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interferon beta (IFN-β) has been shown in several clinical trials to have efficacy in MS. Its mechanism of action, however, remains unclear. In this review, several biological activities of IFN-β are highlighted, including its inhibitory effects on proliferation of leukocytes and antigen presentation. Furthermore, IFN-β may modulate the profile of cytokine production toward that of the anti-inflammatory phenotype, and this appears to occur in the systemic circulation and within the CNS. Finally, IFN-β can reduce T-cell migration by inhibiting the activity of T-cell matrix metalloproteinases. These activities are likely to act in concert to account for the mechanism of IFN-β in MS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)682-689
Number of pages8
JournalNeurology
Volume51
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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