IFNB1 and multiple sclerosis: In addition, interferon (IFN)-β treatment increased CD73 expression in human blood-brain barrier endothelial cells (BBB-EC) and human astrocytes, and upregulation of CD73 and increased adenosine production may contribute to the beneficial effects of IFN-β on multiple sclerosis(MS) by enhancing endothelial barrier function (Niemela et al., 2008).