The effect of season on cytokine expression in multiple sclerosis and healthy subjects.
We measured the levels of IFNgamma, TNFalpha, Il-4 and Il-10 produced by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy people, and those with the relapse/remitting form of multiple sclerosis. Blood was taken in summer and winter. Healthy people had a summer excess of Il-4, Il-10 and TNFalpha, and a winter excess of IFNgamma. Untreated MS cases had a summer excess of Il-10, whereas those treated with Interferon-beta had lower levels of all cytokines, and displayed no seasonal effect.
Stewart
Niall
N
School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. nstewart@utas.edu.au <nstewart@utas.edu.au>
Taylor
Bruce
B
Ponsonby
Anne-Louise
AL
Pittas
Fotini
F
van der Mei
Ingrid
I
Woods
Greg
G
Walters
Haydn
H
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons
D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta