Measurement of intracellular cytokines in MS patients treated with beta-interferon and association of a beta-interferon induced exacerbation with increased expression of gamma-interferon by monocytes
Author(s)
Toh, L; Kilpatrick, TJ;
Details
Publication Year 2001-09,Volume 8,Issue #5,Page 434-436
Journal Title
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
Publication Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The effects that immunomodulatory agents such as beta -Interferon (IFN-beta) exert upon cytokine production in autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis remain incompletely understood. The recent development of techniques to directly assess cytokine production within peripheral blood leucocytes promises to advance this field. beta -Interferon treatment occasionally causes short-lived exacerbations of neurological dysfunction, often associated with systemic flu-like symptoms. Whereas these side effects usually occur and remit within the first few months of therapy, we have identified several patients who have developed symptoms many months after the onset of treatment. To begin to investigate the cause of these late onset exacerbations, we assessed the intracellular cytokine profiles of two patients, one stable on IFN-beta treatment and another experiencing side effects. The latter patient exhibited an increase in the percentage of monocytes that expressed gamma -Interferon after IFN-beta administration, whereas no such modulation was seen in the patient without side effects. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Publisher
CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE
Keywords
MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS; SECRETION; CELLS
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2001-09-01 12:00:00
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