title: Serum levels of sTNFR-1 and sFas in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS), activated T cells, T cells autoreactive against myelin antigens as well as antigen-nonspecific lymphocytes and monocytes produce a number of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor). For a proinflammatory effect to take place TNF must bind together with appropriate receptors. The aim of the study was to assess value of serum sTNFR-1 and sFas levels with reference to clinical activation of disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three patients with clinically documented diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS and 22 healthy subjects were included in the study. In 15 patients the measurements of sTNFR-l and sFas levels were performed at the beginning of MS relapse and in 18 subjects--they were taken in MS remission. 'I'he levels of both soluble molecules were determined with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum sTNFR-1 levels in patients with MS relapse did not differ significantly from mean sTNFR-1 level in patients with MS remission and a control group. Mean serum sFas level in patients with MS relapse was significantly higher comparing with the results obtained in patients with MS remission and in control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The absence of changes in serum sTNFR-1 levels relative to clinical activation of the disease makes this measurement ineffective in the assessment of MS status. On the other hand, the measurement of serum sFas levels may be a valuable parameter for the monitoring of both MS clinical course and immune response to treatment when the symptoms of neurological deficit aggravate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bilińska
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Frydecka
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Podemski
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gruszka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D019014:fas Receptor