title: In vitro TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma production as markers of relapses in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Gent, Belgium. jan.philippe@rug.ac.be
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Philippé
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Debruyne
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leroux-Roels
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dereuck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D019798:Neopterin; D012008:Recurrence; D012016:Reference Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin; D007371:Interferon-gamma