MadSci Network: Medicine
Query:

Re: Why is interferon beta used in MS and not interferon alpha?

Date: Thu Mar 3 00:55:16 2005
Posted By: Vitor Pordeus, M.D., Clinical Research Center, Center for Autoimmune Diseases - Federal Fluminense University
Area of science: Medicine
ID: 1109280489.Me
Message:

Actually, these are evidence-based therapies, and after lots of research 
in medline I could only find that clinical outcomes in MS were better with 
IFN beta. I found this study(Reference 1) showing worse outcomes with IFN 
alpha. Whereas clinical outcomes in Hepatitis C patients favored IFN 
alpha, and this study by Furusyo et al showed benefit with IFN beta too. 
So it's all empiric just like the rest of medicine I'm afraid...
Immunologically both molecules are very close, but the reference 3 showed 
a receptor and intracytoplasmic signaling difference between alpha and 
beta. 

Anyway, they are both responsible for upregulation of MHC class I and are produced by any cell in the organism. So, their function is related to MHC I --> CD8 lymphocyte function, intracellular antigens... I would like to remember that lymphocytes are regulated by lymphocytes, maybe that's why it has a role in autoimmune conditions as MS or in Hepatitis which depends on cytotoxic response to occur. We're talking about network reactions of cytokines and cells, today it's impossible to understand how it works. It's complex and our medicine and science does't have proper tools to deal with complex systems, but I hope I'll reach there. I'd be happy to hear a comment. Sincerly, Vitor Pordeus, MD vitorpordeus@gmail.com 1. Interferon-alpha and transfer factor in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. AUSTIMS Research Group. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1989. 52(5): p. 566-74. 2. Furusyo, N., et al., Differences between interferon-alpha and - beta treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Dig Dis Sci, 1999. 44(3): p. 608-17. 3. Platanias, L.C., et al., Differences in interferon alpha and beta signaling. Interferon beta selectively induces the interaction of the alpha and betaL subunits of the type I interferon receptor. J Biol Chem, 1996. 271(39): p. 23630-3. 4. Denny TN. Chapter 2 Cytokines: A common signaling system for cell growth, inflammation, immunity and differentiation. In: Segel LA, Cohen IR. Design Principles for the Immune System and Other Distributed Autonomous Systems 2001. Oxford University Press, New York. [Moderator's Note: Many immunologists are actively studying these signaling networks, in order to understand the complexities of the immune system.]


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