Expression of melanoma cell adhesion molecule-1 (MCAM-1) in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis.

Petersen ER1, Ammitzbøll C2, Søndergaard HB2, Oturai AB2, Sørensen PS2, Nilsson AC3, Börnsen L2, von Essen M2, Sellebjerg F2.

Author information

1: Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: eva.rosa.petersen@regionh.dk.
2: Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
3: Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.

Abstract

The objectives were to study the expression of very late antigen (VLA)-4, melanoma cell adhesion molecule-1 (MCAM-1) and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) on CD4+ T cells during natalizumab treatment and to investigate the association with disease activity. We find that subgroups of autoreactive T cells are retained in peripheral blood, in particular MOG-reactive CD4+ T cells expressing MCAM-1. The expression of MCAM-1 or ALCAM on CD4+ T cells was, however, not clearly associated with disease activity (clinical or MRI) during natalizumab treatment. We confirm upregulation of MCAM-1 on CD4+ T cells during natalizumab treatment while VLA-4 is downregulated.