Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues
Published on: May 8, 2016
Cytokine mRNA expression in patients with multiple sclerosis and fatigue
Peter Flachenecker1, Irene Bihler, F Weber
1Department of Neurology, Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. peter.flachenecker@surfeu.de
Background:
Fatigue is one of the most common disabling symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the putative role of proinflammatory cytokines remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
Thirty-seven patients (27 women, 10 men) with relapsing remitting (n = 29) and secondary progressive (n = 8) MS, aged 41.0 +/- 10.2 years, were studied. Fatigue was assessed by Krupp's Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Cytokine mRNA expression for interferon (IFN)-gamma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured by real time RT PCR. Autonomic function was evaluated by standard tests for parasympathetic and sympathetic function, as well as by serum levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Results:
Median levels of TNF-alpha mRNA expression were significantly higher in MS patients with (FSS > or = 4.0 and > or = 5.0, n = 26 and n = 14, respectively) than in those without fatigue (FSS < 4.0, n = 11). No differences were seen for IFN-gamma and IL-10 mRNA expression. Cytokine levels were not correlated to autonomic tests or to serum catecholamine levels.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that TNF-alpha, as a principal proinflammatory mediator, is associated with MS-related fatigue. This is in support of a pathogenic role of the MS-related inflammatory process in the development of fatigue.
