Cytokines and soluble IL-4 in patients with acute optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis

We measured the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β, interferon (IFN)-γ, the IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL-4r) by ELISA in 12 patients each with acute, monosymptomatic, idiopathic optic neuritis (ON), ON as part of MS, other attack forms of MS, and in neurological control subjects. CSF concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2 and IFN-γ differed significantly between the different patient groups and were detected most commonly at the highest concentrations in patients with non-ON attacks of MS. TNF-β was detected exclusively in CSF from neurological control patients. The patients with non-ON attacks of MS also had significantly elevated concentrations of sIL-4r in plasma. Increased CSF concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2 and IFN-γ together with increased plasma concentrations of sIL-4r support the concept of MS as an autoimmune disease with preferential activation of proinflammatory or T-helper type 1-like cells. Patients with idiopathic ON or ON as part of MS may, however, differ immunologically from patients with other attack forms of MS.