Evaluation of Lymphocyte Activation Gene3 (LAG-3) on Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis by Intervention Effect of Fingolimod

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine AND Isfahan MS and Neuroimmunology Research Center AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine AND Isfahan MS and Neuroimmunology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine AND Isfahan MS and Neuroimmunology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 PhD Student, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

6 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

7 PhD Student, Department of Epidemiology, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Regulatory CD4+Foxp3+ T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the prevention of autoimmune disease. It is also suggested that in multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system disease, an aberrant Treg function may play a role. Lymphocyte activation gene3 (LAG-3) as a surface marker of Treg cells with negative regulation of the immune system can effectively encounter with effector lymphocytes. In this study, we evaluated frequency of CD4+Foxp3+LAG-3+ T cells before and after treatment with Fingolimod.Methods: Blood samples was obtained from 20 patients with multiple sclerosis before and after 1 months of Fingolimod treatment, and from 12 age-matched healthy control subjects. Then pripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) were isolated and the frequency of Treg cells expressing LAG-3 were determined by flowcytometry.Findings: The frequency of CD4+Foxp3+LAG3+ T cells in the peripheral blood of MS patients was increased when compared to baseline (P = 0.005).Conclusion: Our findings suggested that Fingolimod not only increases CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells, but also is able to enhance expression of LAG-3 on their surface. This is a new finding for the Fingolimod on the immune system.

Keywords


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