Effects of Interferon-Beta on Neural Stem Cells and in A Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Interferon-beta (IFN-β) has been used successfully for over 20 years in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), but the exact mechanisms of action remain ambiguous. Apart from modulating immune cell migration and effector functions, direct effects on cells of the central nervous system (CNS) may be important. It was shown previously that expression of IFN-β is elevated in the CNS during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS. Protection or even regeneration of neurons and oligodendrocytes are putative future therapeutic strategies for MS.