Characterization of CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Subsets and Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4) in MS Patients Treated with Fingolimod (FTY-720): A Follow-up Study.

Fingolimod is a novel immunomodulatory drug used in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) which reversibly inhibits egress of lymphocytes from lymph nodes. In this longitudinal study, the frequency of Interferon- gamma (IFN-γ)+, IL4+, IL17+ and IL10+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets were measured in Fingolimod treated patients before and after 12 months'(12M) therapy using flow cytometry and compared to those of naive, Betaferon treated MS patients and healthy individuals. Additionally, the level of transcription factor IRF4 and IL-6, IL-23, TGF-β1 cytokines, required for differentiation of IL-17+ T cells, were assessed by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.