2 research outputs found
The Effects of IFN-β 1a on the Expression of Inflammasomes and Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Proteins in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
This study aims to evaluate the effects of treatment
with IFN-β 1α on the expressions of NLRP3, NLRP1,
NLRC4, and AIM2, as inflammasomes, and caspase-1,
IL-1β, and IL-18, as the downstream molecules of
inflammasomes, in a population of Iranian multiple sclerosis
(MS) patients. In this study, 30 MS patients (22 women and 8
men) participated. Before receiving any medication and
6Â months after treatment with standard doses of IFN-β 1α
30Â mcg injected intramuscularly once a week, blood samples
were taken and then the leukocytes isolated, total RNAs extracted,
and complementary DNAs (cDNAs) synthesized.Gene
expressions of NLRP3, NLRP1, NLRC4, AIM2, and ASC
were evaluated at messenger RNA (mRNA) levels using realtime
PCR method; for assessing caspase-1 at protein level, the
Western blot method was used. The amounts of IL-1β and
IL-18 were measured in plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay method. Analysis of the results before and after
therapy with IFN-β 1α in all patients shows significantly
decreased expressions of NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2. The
plasma levels of IL-1β, after treatment with IFN-β 1α, were
significantly decreased in the MS patients. Based on our results,
it appears that NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 play critical roles
in the progression of MS, probably bymediatingTh1 and Th17
responses. It seems that decreased expression of IL-1β is
related to decreased production and also functions of
inflammasomes