Cytokines and intrathecal IgG synthesis in multiple sclerosis patients during clinical remission.

Cytokines and intrathecal IgG synthesis were determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera to evaluate inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during clinical remission. Although the disease was stable, there had been a significant increase of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha and IFNgamma in the CSF and serum, with no significant changes of IL12 and IL10 production. The changes in the cytokine production patterns were associated with an increase of leukocytes in the CSF, as well as the presence of oligoclonal bands suggesting intrathecal IgG synthesis. These results suggest that even when the disease is clinically silent, one can observe inflammatory activity in these MS patients.