Acta Neurol Scand 2002 Jul;106(1):44-6
Losy J, Michalowska-Wender G.
Department of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University School of Medicine,
Poznan, Poland, Neuroimmunological Unit, Institute-Centre of Experimental
and Clinical Medicine, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
We have studied in vivo effect of interferon-beta 1a (IFN-beta 1a) (6 MIU once weekly i.m.) on interleukin-12 (IL-12) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) serum levels during 6 months of therapy in group of 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
IL-12 and TGF-beta1 concentrations were measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).
There was a significant increase of IL-12 levels in MS patients in comparison with control group, suggesting a role of this cytokine in immunity of MS.
We have also found a significant increase of TGF-beta1 levels after 6 months of therapy with IFN-beta 1a, however, there was no in vivo effect of the therapy on IL-12 levels.
The results suggest that IFN-beta 1a may exert its action through up- regulation and increase secretion of TGF-beta1.