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Cytokine autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis, aseptic meningitis and stroke
Author(s) -
Elkarim Ra,
Manal Mustafa,
Pia Kivisäkk,
Hans Link,
Moiz Bakhiet
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1998.00279.x
Subject(s) - autoantibody , medicine , multiple sclerosis , immunology , aseptic meningitis , cytokine , cerebrospinal fluid , interleukin 6 , tumor necrosis factor alpha , pathology , antibody
Background We have recently described the induction of anti‐cytokine autoantibodies during bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases as a mechanism for cytokine regulation. Methods Herein, we study the occurrence of autoantibodies to pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from patients with multiple sclerosis, aseptic meningitis and stroke. Results Increased levels of autoantibodies to interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin 4 and interleukin 10 were detected in both compartments of multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningitis patients. Interestingly, in cerebrospinal fluid from stroke patients, only autoantibodies to interleukin 4 and interleukin 10, but not interferon α or tumour necrosis factor α were detected. No significant autoantibody levels were registered in plasma from stroke patients against all four cytokines compared with healthy control subjects. The latter revealed very low autoantibody levels in plasma and no detectable autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid. Conclusions Our data show for the first time the occurrence of cytokine autoantibodies in these diseases, but their biological significance is unclear.