pattern of cytokine secretion by peripheral blood cells of patients with multiple sclerosis in Brazil

Autoimmune T cells play a key role as regulators and effectors of organ-specific autoimmune disease. In multiple sclerosis (MS), activated T cells specific for myelin components produce a plethora of inflammatory cytokines and mediators that contribute to myelin damage. The production of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines by peripheral blood cells from patients with active and stable MS and healthy controls were examined. The results show that TNFa production was somewhat elevated in active MS with no significant increase in the level IFNg, whereas in the chronic phase the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGFb increased, accompanied by a reduction in IFNg when stimulated by myelin basic protein.