Interferon beta modulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by altering the pattern of cytokine secretion

The mechanism of action underlying the beneficial effect of IFNbeta in Multiple Sclerosis is poorly understood. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the experimental model for Multiple Sclerosis; therefore, we investigated the effects of recombinant mouse IFNbeta on the severity of EAE induced in SJL mice and on cytokine production by Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. The results indicated that rmIFN beta reduced the disease activity with an I.P. dosage of 10,000 U/day every other day, and successfully treated EAE mice revealed reduced amounts of IFN gamma; no changes in the levels of IL4 were observed, although thera was a significant increase in IL10 and TGFbeta production. Beneficial effects on EAE are associated with inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines.