Expressions of costimulatory molecules OX40 and OX40L in peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients

Objective To explore the expressions of costimulatory molecules OX40 and OX40L in peripheral blood (PB) samples of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and reveal their clinical significance. Methods PB samples of 39 MS patients and 37 health control subjects (HC) were collected from June 2013 to October 2018. OX40 expressions on CD4+ T cells, OX40L expressions on CD14+ monocytes and CD19+ B cells were detected by immunofluorescent labeling and flow cytometer. The correlations between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores and OX40 and OX40L expressions were analyzed, and the influences of different clinical typing and gender in OX40 and OX40L expressions were analyzed. The changes of OX40 and OX40L expressions before and after methylprednisolone shock therapy in 8 patients with recurrent MS were observed. Results (1) As compared with those in the HC group, the expressions of CD4+OX40+ and CD14+OX40L+ in the peripheral blood of patients in the MS group were significantly increased (P 0.05). (4) EDSS scores of 8 patients with relapsed MS after intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the OX40 expression on the surface of CD4+ T cells after intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone was significantly decreased as compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal OX40 expression is closely correlated to neurologic impairment and clinical characteristics, and distinctly responded to corticosteroid therapy in MS patients, which suggests that OX40 may be a promising biomarker and is involved in the pathogenesis of MS. Key words: Multiple sclerosis; OX40; OX40L; Immuno-regulation