Cytokine production by peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages in multiple sclerosis patients

To determine the function of monocytes/macrophages in the acute phase of multiple sclerosis (MS), we investigated the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta and IL-6 by peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages (PBM) in patients with MS, other autoimmune neurological disease (OAND), other neurological disease (OND) and normal controls was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or phorbol ester, PBM obtained during acute phase of MS relapse patients produced significantly higher amounts of all these cytokines than did PBM from patients with chronic stable MS or OAND or OND or from normal controls. The results suggest a possible role of activated monocytes/macrophages in the acute exacerbation of MS.