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NEUROLOGY 1995;45:S11-S15
© 1995 American Academy of Neurology

Cytokine-producing cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis

Tomas Olsson, MD, PhD

From the Molecular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine and Department of Neurology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Professor T. Olsson, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Molecular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, S-17176 Stockholm, Sweden.

In both multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the regulation of the cytokine spectrum and production is likely to have a decisive influence on disease outcome.Studies of cytokines, however, are hampered by the autocrine or paracrine nature of cytokines. Studies of cellular production by messenger RNA detection or cellular secretion are therefore necessary. Collective data suggest that certain cytokines associated with the T_H 1 phenotype or lymphocytes, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, lymphotoxin, interleukin-12, and interferon gamma, may promote disease, while cytokines produced by the T_H 2 subset, such as interleukin-10, may limit disease. In addition, transforming growth factor beta is a putative disease downregulator. Increased knowledge in this field will likely lead to improved therapy for MS patients.

NEUROLOGY 1995;45(Suppl 6): S11-S15