Interferon gamma production in blood lymphocytes correlates with disability score in multiple sclerosis patients

The proinflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFG) is elevated in body flu ids of multiple sclerosis patients but its variation range is broad. The re ason for this wide scatter of IFG production is not yet known. We looked fo r the relation between clinical Parameters such as disability, exacerbation frequency, disease duration, course of the disease and IFG producing blood lymphocytes. Forty-one consecutive, clinically stable multiple sclerosis p atients with primary relapsing course of the disease and without immunomodu latory or immunosupperessive treatment in the lost 3 months were investigat ed for IFG in blood lymphocytes by flow cytometry. A significant positive c orrelation between IFG production and disability (r = 0.45, P < 0.01, Spear man's rho coefficient) was found. Pathophysiological, implications and ther apeutical relevance of this unexpected finding are discussed.