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 language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 682-689 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Neurology |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Sep 1 1998 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
Cite this
Yong, V. W., Chabot, S., Stuve, O., & Williams, G. (1998). Interferon beta in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: Mechanisms of action. Neurology, 51(3), 682-689.