Vitamin D levels in multiple sclerosis patients: Association with TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta RI, and TGF-beta RII expression

Aim: A variety of evidence suggests that vitamin D can prevent the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). TGF-beta pathway genes also play important roles in MS. Here, we aim to study whether vitamin D affects TGF-beta pathway gene expression and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in MS patients. Main methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 31 relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients. Using real-time RT-PCR, we tested the levels of TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta RI and TGF-beta RII mRNAs in the RRMS patients before and after 8 weeks of supplementation with vitamin D. Key findings: Expression of TGF-beta 2 mRNA increased 2.84-fold, while TGF-beta RI and TGF-beta RII mRNA levels did not change after vitamin D treatment. In addition, these results revealed no correlation between the normalized expression of TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta RI, or TGF-beta RII and EDSS scores. Significance: Here, we demonstrate new evidence for the complex role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis, activity and progression of MS through the TGF-beta signaling pathway. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.