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Published on: March 24, 2015
Seasonal variation of interferon-gamma production in progressive multiple sclerosis
K E Balashov1, M J Olek, D R Smith
1Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. There is increased interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion in MS patients in vitro, and IFN-gamma administration induces exacerbations of disease suggesting a link between IFN-gamma and disease activity. We observed significantly increased IFN-gamma production in the autumn and winter months compared with the spring and summer months in chronic progressive MS, and this increase was linked to endogenous interleukin (IL)-12 production. Increased seasonal IFN-gamma was not observed in normal control subjects, and there were no seasonal changes in IL-10 in progressive MS. These results suggest a potential environmental link between dysregulated IFN-gamma production and MS disease progression and pathogenesis.
Insights
Seasonal changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) show increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production during colder months, linked to interleukin-12 (IL-12). This suggests an environmental factor influencing MS progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Central Nervous System Disorders
- Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory CNS disease.
- Increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secretion is observed in MS patients.
- IFN-γ administration can trigger MS exacerbations, indicating a role in disease activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seasonal variation of IFN-γ production in chronic progressive MS.
- To explore the relationship between seasonal IFN-γ levels and endogenous interleukin-12 (IL-12) production.
- To determine if seasonal changes in IFN-γ are specific to MS patients compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring IFN-γ production in chronic progressive MS patients across different seasons.
- Measuring endogenous IL-12 and IL-10 levels in the same patient cohort.
- Comparing seasonal IFN-γ production in MS patients with healthy control subjects.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher IFN-γ production was observed in autumn and winter months compared to spring and summer in progressive MS.
- Increased seasonal IFN-γ levels correlated with endogenous IL-12 production.
- Elevated seasonal IFN-γ was not detected in normal control subjects.
- No significant seasonal changes in IL-10 were found in progressive MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Dysregulated IFN-γ production exhibits seasonal variation in chronic progressive MS.
- Endogenous IL-12 may mediate the seasonal increase in IFN-γ.
- These findings suggest a potential environmental influence on MS pathogenesis and progression.
