Role of interferon-beta in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis antibody response in Sardinian MS patients

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 349; no. 1-2; pp. 249 - 250
• Main Authors: Frau, Jessica, Cossu, Davide, Coghe, Giancarlo, Lorefice, Lorena, Fenu, Giuseppe, Porcu, Gianluca, Sardu, Claudia, Murru, Maria Rita, Tranquilli, Stefania, Marrosu, Maria Giovanna, Sechi, Leonardo Antonio, Cocco, Eleonora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.02.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies - blood; Antibody Formation; Endocellular pathogen; Female; Humans; Immunomodulation; Interferon-beta; Interferon-beta - administration & dosage; Interferon-beta - pharmacology; Italy; Middle Aged; Molecular mimicry; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis - drug effects; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis - immunology; Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis; Neurology; Italy; Endocellular pathogen; Multiple sclerosis; Molecular mimicry; Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis; Interferon-beta; Immunomodulation
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.01.004

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is associated with MS in Sardinia. Because anti-MAP antibodies (Abs) were more frequent in interferon-beta treated patients, we hypothesize that interferon-beta could interact with the immune system. Anti-MAP Abs were searched in the blood of 89 patients before commencing interferon-beta and after at least six months. Anti-MAP Abs were detected before and during treatment in 18.7% and 34.7% of patients, respectively. Twenty-three (20.5%) patients became positive during therapy, and 5 (4.4%) patients became negative (p=0.001). The study supports the hypothesis that interferon-beta could interact with the immune system, enhancing the immunological response against MAP. •In 89 MS patients, the anti-MAP Abs before and after interferon-beta were analyzed.•20.47% of patients became positive after interferon-beta.•MAP could have a role in autoimmunity via molecular mimicry mechanism.•As for other autoantibodies, the anti-MAP Abs status changes over the lifetime.