Lymphotoxin production in multiple sclerosis patients

Lymphotoxin (LT) is a cytotoxic and cytostatic lymphokine produced by activated T and B lymphocytes. Recently, the influence of cytokines on the pathomechanism of demyelinization was investigated. The authors studied LT production in the multiple sclerosis patients. The control group were patients with other neurologic diseases. Spontaneous LT production by T lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis patients was statistically increased during relapse in comparison with the LT production in OND patients. Despite of mitogen stimulation T and B lymphocytes from MS patients produced gradually decreased amounts of LT. The authors suggest that LT might be the product of activated lymphocytes that cause demyelinization during multiple sclerosis.