When the high dose (HD) group was divided into HD+ (NAb positive) and HD- (NAb negative) subgroups, they found:⁹

• The HD- group had an inverse relationship between the total number of active lesions and mean NK cell FA
• The HD+ group had a positive relationship between the total number of active lesions and mean NK cell FA

The authors suggested that the HD+ subgroup's exhibition of a positive relationship between NK cell FA and number of active lesions (similar to the relationship exhibited bythe placebo group) and the HD- subgroup's negative relationship "could suggest that neutralizing antibodies to IFN-b might interfere with the benefits of this cytokine."⁹ This observation is another interesting example of neutralizing antibodies modifying the action of IFN-b.

This article emphasizes that more research into the role of NK cells in multiple sclerosis is required, explaining "[a]lthough the results are consistentwiththe hypothesis that NK cells play a role in the immunopathogenesis of MS, they do not prove a causal relationship. ... If a causal relationship between NK cell FA and disease activity in MS does exist, it would be important to define the mechanisms mediating the effect."⁹

Studying the effects of various treatments, such as IFN-b, could help researchers understand immune mechanisms that may be relevant in multiple sclerosis. The authors concluded: "Although the role of T cells in MS continues to be a major focus, our studies suggest that NK cells and, in particular, NK cell subsets might also merit additional investigation."⁹

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