Evaluation of Lymphocyte Activation Gene3 (LAG-3) on Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis by Intervention Effect of Fingolimod

Regulatory CD4ᚌ槟 T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the prevention of autoimmune disease. It is also suggested that in multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system disease, an aberrant Treg function may play a role. Lymphocyte activation gene3 (LAG-3) as a surface marker of Treg cells with negative regulation of the immune system can effectively encounter with effector lymphocytes. In this study, we evaluated frequency of CD4ᚌ槟3 T cells before and after treatment with Fingolimod.
Blood samples was obtained from 20 patients with multiple sclerosis before and after 1 months of Fingolimod treatment, and from 12 age-matched healthy control subjects. Then pripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) were isolated and the frequency of Treg cells expressing LAG-3 were determined by flowcytometry.
Findings: The frequency of CD4ᚌ槟᭿ T cells in the peripheral blood of MS patients was increased when compared to baseline (P = 0.005).
Our findings suggested that Fingolimod not only increases CD4ᚌ槟 Treg cells, but also is able to enhance expression of LAG-3 on their surface. This is a new finding for the Fingolimod on the immune system.