Kinin B1 receptor expression on multiple sclerosis mononuclear cells -: Correlation with magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted lesion volume and clinical disability

Background: We have previously shown that the inducible kinin B-1 receptor is expressed on T lymphocytes during relapses and progression in multiple sclerosis. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the expression of B-1 receptor on peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from patients who have multiple sclerosis with serial, clinical magnetic resonance imaging and immunological study-derived measures. Design: Using frozen samples obtained from a high-frequency magnetic resonance imaging-immunological study, we analyzed B-1 receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells serially collected from 6 patients with multiple sclerosis and 8 healthy control subjects by semiquantitative radioactive duplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification. Time-course kinin B-1-actin mRNA ratios were subsequently compared with corresponding clinical magnetic resonance imaging and immune parameters. Results: The time-course kinin B-1-actin mRNA ratio correlated positively with the Expanded Disability Status Scale index (P<.001), occurrence of clinical relapse (P=.02), volume of lesion on T2-weighted images (P<.003) and interleukin 2 receptor and major histocompatibility complex class II expression on CD4(+) lymphocytes, but not with gadolinium-enhancing lesions. The time-course kinin B-1-actin mRNA ratios were 5 to 25 times lower in samples derived from healthy controls. Conclusion: The correlation of kinin B-1 receptor mRNA levels with dynamic clinical and magnetic resonance imaging measures suggests that expression of this receptor can serve as an index of disease activity in multiple sclerosis.