Increased release of interleukin-12p40 in MS: association with intracerebral inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
The p40 subunit of interleukin (IL)-12 was recently demonstrated in active lesions in MS. We tested whether the p40 subunit of IL-12 can also be detected in CSF and serum of patients with this disease and, if so, whether release is associated with inflammatory disease activity.


RESULTS
This study demonstrates an increased (up to 1,000-fold) compartmentalized release of the p40 subunit but not of the heterodimer p70 in MS. Release of IL-12p40 correlated with classic markers of CNS inflammation (CSF cell counts, immunoglobulin G index) and was significantly increased in patients with gadolinium-enhancing plaques on MRI. Moreover, release of IL-12p40 was associated with CSF levels of myelin basic protein as a measure of myelin degradation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a role of IL-12p40 in the pathophysiology of MS.
Fassbender
K
K
Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Klinikum Mannheim, Germany.
Ragoschke
A
A
Rossol
S
S
Schwartz
A
A
Mielke
O
O
Paulig
A
A
Hennerici
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010455:Peptides
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010455:Peptides; D018664:Interleukin-12