Artigo Revisado por pares

In vitro TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ production as markers of relapses in multiple sclerosis

1996; Elsevier BV; Volume: 98; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0303-8467(96)00041-8

ISSN

1872-6968

Autores

Jan Philippé, Jan Debruyne, Geert Leroux‐Roels, A. Willems, Jacques DeReuck,

Tópico(s)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

Resumo

In 22 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) we determined with monthly intervals over a period of 24 months the in vitro tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and the serum neopterin levels. The results were compared with normative data collected from 14 healthy controls over the same period. Twenty-nine relapses in 13 patients were noticed. We found increased in vitro TNF-alpha production from 4 weeks on prior to the day of an exacerbation. There was a significant correlation with in vitro IFN-gamma release, the absolute blood monocyte count and the serum neopterin levels, suggesting that monocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma play an important role in the TNF-alpha production. Serial analysis of in vitro TNF-alpha production proved to be a helpful tool in predicting relapses in MS patients. Furthermore, elevated levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 after stimulation with OKT3 during exacerbations were demonstrated. Serial analysis of these two biological markers revealed to be of no value in predicting relapses.

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