Expression of cytokines in brain lesions in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
We analyzed frozen brain specimens from three patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) for the presence of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin (LT), and interferon (IFN)-gamma using immunocytochemical techniques. We detected these cytokines in SSPE brain lesions demonstrating extensive cellular infiltrates, demyelination, and gliosis. Double-label immunocytochemistry, using cell-specific markers, showed that positive immunoreactivity for these cytokines was present on both infiltrating cells and resident brain cells. We also found IL-6, TNF, and IFN-gamma at lower levels in brain tissue from a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In contrast, normal control brain sections showed no reactivity for any of the cytokines. These findings indicate that IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, TNT, LT, and IFN-gamma may be produced in SSPE lesions and may be involved in the lesion pathogenesis of SSPE.
Nagano
I
I
Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Nakamura
S
S
Yoshioka
M
M
Onodera
J
J
Kogure
K
K
Itoyama
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines