title: Tumor necrosis factor alpha production as a possible predictor of relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: No biological parameter is currently available as a specific marker of multiple sclerosis (MS) activity. The aim of this study was to determine whether an evolution of the neurological disability is associated with a modified profile of cytokine production. Clinical disease activity was quantitated by the Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Whole blood was stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for 2 hours at 37 degrees C and the activated plasma was assayed for Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Relapsing-remitting MS patients enduring a relapse (RRMS, in relapse) (721 +/- 58 pg/ml, n = 27) and chronic progressive MS (CPMS) patients (516 +/- 33 pg/ml, n = 17) had an higher TNF-alpha production capacity as compared to healthy subjects (143 +/- 25 pg/ml, n = 17), RRMS, stable patients, (123 +/- 11 pg/ml, n = 26) or other neurological diseases (OND) without immunological or inflammatory disease in the peripheral immune compartment (131 +/- 24 pg/ml, n = 14) (t test: p < 0.0001). IL-1 beta production was also significantly higher but to a lesser extent in the same conditions. Concentration of TNF-alpha was also found to be significantly higher in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of CPMS patients (199 +/- 7.8 pg/ml, n = 7, p < 0.0001) but also in RRMS, in relapse (149 +/- 5.7 pg/ml, n = 11, p < 0.05) as compared to RRMS, stable (130 +/- 4.4 pg/ml, n = 7) or OND without inflammatory or immunological disease of the central nervous system (CNS) (142 +/- 6.2 pg/ml, n = 8).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurology, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chofflon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Juillard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juillard
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Grau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha