Related Experiment Videos
Cytokine mRNA profiles in mononuclear cells in acute aseptic meningoencephalitis
1Division of Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Cytokines are important modulators of inflammation and immune responses. Using in situ hybridization with radiolabelled cDNA oligonucleotide probes, we studied the expression of mRNA encoding the cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), lymphotoxin, and perforin in mononuclear cells (MNC) from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM) and from blood of healthy controls. Patients in the acute phase of AM had elevated numbers of IFN-gamma mRNA-expressing cells in the blood compared with that of controls and higher numbers of IFN-gamma mRNA-expressing cells in their CSF compared with that of convalescent-phase patients, which is in accordance with the antiviral effects of this cytokine. Upregulation of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 was found in convalescent-phase patients, which is consistent with the longstanding B-cell response found in AM. TGF-beta and perforin were upregulated in both stages of AM, while the numbers of blood and CSF MNC expressing cytokine mRNA of the TNF family (TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin) did not differ between patients with AM and controls. An even higher elevation in CSF was noticed for MNC expressing most of the cytokines, particularly IL-4 and TGF-beta, reflecting the autonomy of the immune response in the CSF. The definition of cytokine profiles in AM, a self-limiting and benign disease, provides a foundation for future comparisons with other infectious and inflammatory nervous system diseases.
Insights
This study reveals distinct cytokine profiles in aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM). Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is elevated in acute AM, while interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-10 rise during recovery, indicating specific immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cytokines are key regulators of inflammation and immune responses.
- Aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM) involves inflammation of the brain and spinal cord linings.
- Understanding cytokine dynamics in AM is crucial for differentiating it from other neurological diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression profiles of various cytokines in mononuclear cells (MNCs) from patients with acute aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM).
- To compare cytokine expression in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between acute and convalescent AM phases and healthy controls.
- To establish baseline cytokine profiles for AM to aid future comparisons with other CNS inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed using radiolabeled cDNA oligonucleotide probes.
- The study analyzed mRNA expression for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, lymphotoxin, and perforin.
- Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from blood and CSF of AM patients and blood of healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Elevated IFN-gamma mRNA in acute AM blood and CSF, consistent with antiviral activity.
- Increased IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA in convalescent AM, suggesting a B-cell response.
- TGF-beta and perforin were upregulated in both AM stages; TNF family cytokines showed no significant difference.
- CSF exhibited higher MNC cytokine expression, particularly IL-4 and TGF-beta, indicating CSF immune autonomy.
Conclusions:
- Distinct cytokine profiles characterize different phases of aseptic meningoencephalitis.
- The immune response within the CSF appears to operate autonomously.
- These findings provide a foundation for comparing AM with other infectious and inflammatory neurological diseases.