The effects of Fingolimod administration on the gene expression profile of nicotinic receptors in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease with loss of structure or function of central nervous system cells and the main cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults. Effective management of this disease requires a multifaceted approach to control acute attacks, manage and correct bothersome or debilitating symptoms associated with this disease. Significant advances in the treatment of MS types and especially relapsing MS have favorably changed the long-term outlook of many patients. Fingolimod is an immunotherapy drug that is mostly used in the treatment of MS. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction is a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel that has been fine-tuned during evolution to convert a chemical signal into an electrical signal with maximal efficiency and speed. These receptors play a role in modulating immune and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Fingolimod drug administration on the gene expression profile of nicotinic receptors in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods: Ficoll was used to extract PBMCs. After the isolation of PBMCs, cellular RNA was extracted using Trizol and cDNA was synthesized from the cDNA synthesis kit. Then, using quantitative real-time PCR, changes in the expression profile of different genes of different nicotinic receptors, including beta two, alpha five, alpha seven, alpha nine and alpha ten subunits, were studied. Results: The results of the experiment showed that in the comparison of the samples of people with MS who received Fingolimod and people who did not receive the drug, there were significant changes in mRNA subunit beta two and alpha nine between people who received and without Received not seen. However, the mRNA expression of subunit alpha 10 in MS patients receiving Fingolimod was significantly decreased compared to patients who did not receive the drug.