BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE TGF-BETA(1) IS INCREASED IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID WHILE IT IS REDUCED IN SERUM IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Objectives - The polypeptide transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-b eta(1)) is a product of activated monocytes, among other inflammatory cells, and it affects immune responsiveness, cellular growth and diffe rentiation. TGF-beta(1) has potent T-cell inhibiting activities. It ma y play an important role in limiting autoimmune inflammation. We were interested about levels of biologically active and total TGF-beta(1) i n serum and CSF in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Subject s and methods - We measured biologically active and total TGF-beta(1) in serum and CSF using ELISA-technique in 64 MS patients with I 57 dur ing acute exacerbation of MS and 7 in remission (primary-relapsing: n= 59; primary-progressive: n=5), 20 healthy subjects, and 21 patients wi th other non-inflammatory neurological diseases (OND). Results - Biolo gically active TGF-beta(1) in serum was reduced in MS patients compare d to controls, on the other hand total TGF-beta(1) was elevated in CSF compared to patients with OND. Biologically active TGF-beta(1) in CSF correlated positively with the duration of the acute relapse in patie nts with primary relapsing MS. The more relapses the patients had the higher was biologically active TGF-beta(1) in CSF. Total TGF-beta(1) i n CSF correlated with macrophages in CSF and albumin quotient. Conclus ion - We found that an elevated level of biologically active TGF-beta( 1) in CSF might be useful as an indicator of disease limitation while active TGF-beta(1) in serum is reduced in multiple sclerosis. Measurin g TGF-beta(1) in body fluids by ELISA techniques produces valid result s and might be used for further studies focusing on the role of this c ytokine in MS.