Markedly increased CSF interleukin-6 levels in neuromyelitis  optica, but not in multiple sclerosis.
To investigate differences in helper T cell immune responses in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS), we measured CSF levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-a and interferon-c at the time of relapse in 17 NMO patients and 21 MS patients using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. CSF IL-6 levels were significantly higher in NMO patients than in patients with MS (P = 0.001) and other neurological diseases (P = 0.001). The other cytokines tested were undetectable. Elevated CSF levels of IL-6 in only NMO supports the view of different pathophysiologies of NMO and MS. CSF IL-6 levels may be useful in the differential diagnosis of the two disorders.
Uzawa
Akiyuki
A
Mori
Masahiro
M
Ito
Michihiro
M
Uchida
Tomohiko
T
Hayakawa
Sei
S
Masuda
Saeko
S
Kuwabara
Satoshi
S
D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6