Whole genome analysis of the action of interferon-β

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize the IFN1a-regulated gene expression on leukocytes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients using microarrays with whole human genome representation. Methods: Genes differentially expressed by interferon- were identified by a microarray in vitro study performed in leukocytes obtained from 5MS relapsing-remitting patients. Results: Following the culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS relapsing-remitting patients for 24 hs with IFN1a, the expression of 868 genes was modified: 545 increased (including CXCL11, CCL8, INDO, IFI27, CFB, CXCL10 and IFIT1) and 323 diminished (including RBP7, SEPT5, RNF8, ADORA2B and FOS). Conclusions: Since many of them were previously recognized as involved in MS pathogenesis, the IFNb1a mechanism of action could imply a compensatory regulation of systems deregulated in MS.