NK/T cell ratios associate with interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain expression and shedding in multiple sclerosis

NK/T-cell ratios predict disease activity in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We investigated 50 RRMS patients whether interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain (IL-2R?) expression and shedding associates with balance, as suggested by daclizumab-trials RRMS. A subsample (N = 31) was genotyped for IL2RA-associated MS risk SNPs. CD56bright NK-cell/IL-17A+CD4+ T-cell correlated negatively plasma PBMC-culture supernatant sIL-2R?-levels [R -0.209; p 0.038 R -0.254; 0.012, resp.], CD4+ CD25 MFI -0.341; 0.001]. Carriers of the rs3118470 risk-allele showed higher (P 0.031) a lower ratio 0.038). Therefore, IL-2R? may be involved interplay between NK-cells T-cells.