Interferon beta-1b in Multiple Sclerosis

Solubilization of Human Interferon β-1b Inclusion Body Proteins by Organic Solvents

Purposes: Solubilization of inclusion bodies expressed in E. coli is a critical step during manufacturing of recombinant proteins expressed as inclusion bodies. So far, various methods have been used for solubilization and purification of inclusion body proteins to obtain active proteins with high purity and yield. The aim of this study was to examine the benefit of organic solvents such as alcohols in solubilization of recombinant interferon β-1b inclusion bodies.

Methods: Effect of important parameters inclusion pH, concentration and type of denaturant and concentration of alcoholic solvents were optimized to formulate a suitable solubilization buffer and investigate their effect on solubilization of interferon β-1b inclusion bodies.

Results: Our findings showed the acidic pH in the range of 2-3 is more suitable than alkaline pH >12 for solubilization and achieving higher content of interferon β-1beta and pure recombinant protein. We have also demonstrated that 1% SDS acts better than 2M urea to solubilize Inclusion body proteins of interferon β-1b at pH of 2-3. The interferon concentration was 2.35 mg per 100 mg IB when we used 40% (v/v) 1-propanol and 20% (v/v) 2-butanol into the buffer solution as well.

Conclusion: The optimized method provides gentile condition for solubilization of inclusion body at high protein concentration and purity with a degree of retention of native secondary structure which makes this method valuable to be used in production and research area.

Severe vaginal bleeding associated with recombinant interferon beta-1B

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of severe vaginal bleeding associated with interferon beta-1b (IFN-beta).

CASE SUMMARY

A 19-year-old white woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was treated with IFN-beta 4 million IU every other day for 1 month. After 1 month, the dosage was increased to 8 million IU. The patient subsequently experienced severe vaginal bleeding. Because her hemoglobin was 3.9 g/dL, she was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation. IFN-beta was discontinued and she was treated with conjugated estrogens and received 2 units of packed red blood cells. The bleeding ceased and the patient was discharged in stable condition.

DISCUSSION

Menstrual disorders of mild-to-moderate severity were reported during clinical trials with IFN-beta. This is the first case report regarding severe vaginal bleeding probably associated with IFN-beta. The mechanism for development of IFN-beta-related menstrual disorders is unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

Reports of menstrual disorders associated with recombinant IFN-beta are rare; however, clinicians should be aware that this complication can occur. Should menstrual disorders occur with no other etiologic factors identified, IFN-beta should be discontinued, with improvement expected shortly thereafter.

Dermatologic drug use during pregnancy and lactation

Physicians are often asked to prescribe medication for women during the childbearing years. This article reviews which dermatologic drugs have been reported to interfere with contraceptive efficacy, which should be avoided, and which have the fewest contraindications for use during pregnancy and lactation. Corticosteroids and tretinoin are discussed in detail. Sources and guidelines for choices of dermatologic drugs for women of childbearing age are presented.

Effect of oral beta interferon on subsequent immune responsiveness

Oral administration of myelin antigens reduces the incidence and severity of EAE in rat and mouse models and decreases the frequency of MBP-reactive cells and the frequency of attacks in some patients with multiple sclerosis. Low-dose oral tolerance has been shown to be mediated by Th2-type regulatory cells that secrete TGFbeta and IL-4/IL-10. Adjuvants and cytokines may modulate oral tolerance. The addition of betaIFN to the experimental therapy regimen, either orally or by intraperitoneal injection, has been shown to enhance the suppressive effects of oral myelin antigens when either are fed the suboptimal dosing regimen to suppress EAE. The current studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of the observed in vivo synergy of betaIFN and antigen feeding. Analysis of the in vitro proliferative response and cytokine production by lymphocytes from fed animals in response to specific antigen in culture shows that the synergistic effect may be related to both independent suppression of the immune response by oral betaIFN and enhanced production of TGFbeta and IL-4/IL-10. There was an unexpected increase in the production of gammaIFN by lymphocytes in vitro after three doses of oral betaIFN in vivo. These observations have important implications for the use of cytokines to modulate oral tolerance.