VARIATIONS OF IL2, IL6, TNF-ALPHA PLASMATIC LEVELS IN RELAPSING-REMITTING MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

We performed a longitudinal analysis of serum IL2, IL6 and TNF alpha c oncentrations in 40 relapsing remitting MS patients and 20 healthy sub jects. Disease activity was quantified by Minimal Record of Disease (M . R. D.) for MS, every 2 or 3 months. IL2, IL6, TNF alpha production w as analysed without and with PHA stimulation of whole blood for 2 hour s at 37 degrees C. No significant change in IL2 level was found in MS serum. Individual TNF alpha production was significantly increased (P < 0.007) during relapses. The global spontaneous IL6 production was ma rkedly higher in the relapse group than in the control group (p < 0.01 ) and than in the remission group (P < 0.002) without significant indi vidual variations of cytokine levels regarding the disease activity. P roductions of cytokines were enhanced by PHA stimulation, a condition that however suppressed the differences observed without mitogen stimu lation. Our data suggest that TNF alpha could be a marker for relapses while IL6 might reflect the global activity of the immune system in M S.