Integrative modelling of transcriptional regulation in response to interferon β multiple sclerosis treatment

The purpose of this study was to characterize the transcriptional effects induced by an interferon-β-1a (IFN-b) treatment regime (Avonex; weekly 30 mcg intramuscular) in patients with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS). IFN-b effectively decreases the frequency of clinical exacerbations in most MS patients, but the specifically modulated genes and mechanisms by which IFN-b exerts its effects have not been fully elucidated. DNA microarrays were used to obtain genome-wide transcriptional profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 24 MS patients within the first four weeks of IFN-b administr…