INTERFERON-BETA NORMALIZES SUPPRESSOR-CELL FUNCTION IN DYSIMMUNE NEUROPATHIES

We found a defective suppressor cell function in vitro both in idiopat hic chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and in paraprote inemic neuropathy with antibodies to sulfated glucuronyl paragloboside . In the presence of interferon beta, suppressor cell function was nor malized. Our results suggest that a decreased suppressor cell function plays a pathogenetic role in dysimmune neuropathies. Interferon beta might represent an adjunctive therapy in CIDP both acting on a defecti ve blood-nerve barrier and normalizing an otherwise defective suppress or cell function. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.