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Increased interleukin-6 mRNA expression in blood and cerebrospinal fluid mononuclear cells in multiple sclerosis

V Navikas1, D Matusevicius, M Söderström

  • 1Division of Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|January 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA-expressing cells are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, suggesting a role for IL-6 in this neurological disease. Further research is needed to clarify IL-6

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cytokine research
  • Multiple Sclerosis pathogenesis

Background:

  • Increased intrathecal immunoglobulin production in multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests involvement of B cell activating factors.
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine known to induce immunoglobulin production by activated B cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA-expressing mononuclear cells (MNC) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To investigate the role of IL-6 in the context of MS and other neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • In situ hybridization (ISH) using synthetic oligonucleotide probes was employed to quantify IL-6 mRNA-expressing MNC.
  • Samples were analyzed from patients with MS, aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM), other neurological diseases (OND), and healthy subjects.
  • Cell cultures were stimulated with myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein.

Main Results:

  • IL-6 mRNA-expressing MNC were significantly elevated in the blood and CSF of MS patients compared to controls.
  • Elevated levels of IL-6 mRNA-expressing MNC were also observed in the blood of AM patients.
  • Cultivation with myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein strongly augmented IL-6 mRNA-positive cells in MS samples.

Conclusions:

  • IL-6 is upregulated in multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • These findings suggest IL-6 is one of several cytokines implicated in MS pathogenesis.
  • The precise role of IL-6, whether disease-promoting or protective, in MS remains undetermined.

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