DECREASED IL-3 PRODUCTION BY PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

The production of interleukin-3 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) was assessed in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in both the active and the stable state, and in healthy controls. IL-3 levels were compared to levels of production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). No sign ificant differences in IL-3 levels were observed between stable-state patients and controls. When levels of cytokine production of patients in the inactive phase were compared to those of the same patients duri ng relapse a significant decrease in IL-3 levels was observed, as oppo sed to significant increases in gamma-IFN and TNF levels, and an incre ase, though a non-significant, in IL-2 levels. The functional signific ance of lowered IL-3 production is unknown. However, the findings supp ort the hypothesis of a highly complex interaction of overlapping regu latory influences within the cytokine network which parallels MS disea se activity.