Cytokine gene expression in cells derived from CSF of multiple sclerosis patients

Cytokines are produced by numerous cell types in the peripheral blood and central nervous system (CNS), and have been implicated in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the relationship between cytokine gene expression of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derived cells from MS patients and disease activity as measured by contrast enhanced MRI. There was a significant correlation between the number of CSF cells and the number of contrast enhancing MRI lesions. Cytokine gene expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 was routinely seen, but IL-4 expression was absent except in two clinically quiescent patients. Trends were observed toward decreased TNF-alpha expression, but increased IL-10 expression, after treatment with IFN-beta1b.