Related Experiment Videos
Monocytes in multiple sclerosis: phenotype and cytokine profile
M Kouwenhoven1, N Teleshova, V Ozenci
1Neuroimmunology Unit, Division of Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. mathilde.kouwenhoven@neurotec.ki.se
Journal of Neuroimmunology
|December 8, 2000
Summary
Monocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show altered cytokine secretion and co-stimulatory molecule expression. These changes in immune cells may evolve with MS disease progression and severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Immunology
- Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disease with systemic immune involvement.
- Blood-borne monocytes are prevalent in MS lesions, but their circulating properties remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the phenotype and cytokine-secreting capacity of monocytes in the blood of MS patients.
- To investigate how monocyte properties correlate with MS disease duration and severity.
Main Methods:
- ELISPOT assays were employed to quantify monocytes secreting interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-10.
- Flow cytometry was used to assess monocyte expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86), MHC molecules (HLA-ABC, HLA-DR), and Fcgamma receptors (CD16, CD64).
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-12 secreting monocytes were observed in untreated MS and other neurological diseases (OND) patients compared to healthy controls.
- MS patients exhibited increased mean fluorescence intensity for the CD86 co-stimulatory molecule on monocytes.
- Higher percentages of CD80 expressing monocytes correlated with longer disease duration (>10 years) and greater severity (EDSS >3) in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Monocyte aberrations are present in the peripheral blood of MS patients.
- These observed monocyte abnormalities may dynamically change throughout the course of the disease.