CYTOKINES AND SOLUBLE IL-4 IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE OPTIC NEURITIS AND MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

We measured the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor n ecrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta, interferon (IFN)-gamma, the IL-l receptor antagonist, and soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL-4r) by ELISA in 1 2 patients each with acute, monosymptomatic, idiopathic optic neuritis (ON), ON as part of MS, other attack forms of MS, and in neurological control subjects. CSF concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-2 and IFN-gamma differed significantly between the different patient groups and were detected most commonly at the highest concentrations in patients with non-ON attacks of MS. TNF-beta was detected exclusively in CSF from ne urological control patients, The patients with non-ON attacks of MS al so had significantly elevated concentrations of sIL-4r in plasma, Incr eased CSF concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-2 and IFN-gamma together wit h increased plasma concentrations of sIL-4r support the concept of MS as an autoimmune disease with preferential activation of proinflammato ry or T-helper type 1-like cells, Patients with idiopathic ON or ON as part of MS may, however, differ immunologically from patients with ot her attack forms of MS.