[IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with multiple...

We determined the cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression patterns of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 17 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 11 normal controls, by using a quantitative reverse transcription in combination with polymerase reaction (RT/PCR) and Southern blot hybridization method. A significantly higher levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma mRNA in patient with MS compared to normal controls and significantly higher level of expressions of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha mRNA were detected in active MS patients compared to those with stable desease (P < 0.05). These data further support the central role of some cytokines in the pathophysiology of this autoimmune disease.