Interferon-beta (IFN-β) antibodies in interferon-β1a-and interferon-β1b-treated multiple sclerosis patients. Prevalence, kinetics, cross-reactivity, and factors enhancing interferon-β immunogenicity in vivo

INTRODUCTION A complex, but still undefined network of naturally occurring soluble factors, including cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, cytokine receptor antagonists, and anti-cytokine antibodies regulates the activation of the immune system. Autoantibodies to cytokines are only occasionally found in the serum of normal healthy individuals, but they are frequently detected at high titers in the serum of patients with autoimmune and [...]