Whole genome analysis of the action of interferon-beta.

Objectives: To characterize the IFNbeta1a-regulated gene expression on leukocytes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients using microarrays with whole human genome representation.

Methods: Genes differentially expressed by interferon-beta were identified by a microarray in vitro study performed in leukocytes obtained from 5 MS relapsing-remitting patients.

Results: Following the culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS relapsing-remitting patients for 24 hs with IFNbeta1a, the expression of 868 genes was modified: 545 increased (including CXCL11, CCL8, INDO, IFI27, CFB, CXCL10 and IFIT1) and 323 diminished (including RBP7, SEPT5, RNF8, ADORA2B and FOS).

Conclusions: Since many of them were previously recognized as involved in MS pathogenesis, the IFNbeta1a mechanism of action could imply a compensatory regulation of systems deregulated in MS.