Vitamin D levels in multiple sclerosis patients: Association with TGF-β2, TGF-βRI, and TGF-βRII expression

Abstract

Aim: A variety of evidence suggests that vitamin D can prevent the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). TGF-β pathway genes also play important roles in MS. Here, we aim to study whether vitamin D affects TGF-β 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-β2, TGF-βRI and TGF-βRII mRNAs in the RRMS patients before and after 8 weeks of supplementation with vitamin D.

Key findings: Expression of TGF-β2 mRNA increased 2.84-fold, while TGF-βRI and TGF-βRII mRNA levels did not change after vitamin D treatment. In addition, these results revealed no correlation between the normalized expression of TGF-β2, TGF-βRI, or TGF-βRII 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-β signaling pathway.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; TGF-β2; TGF-βRI; TGF-βRII; Vitamin D.