Stimulated PBMC-produced IFN-γ and TNF-α are associated with altered relapse risk in multiple sclerosis: Results from a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Altered reactivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their production of cytokines may affect multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical course. We assessed the relationship of stimulated PBMC-produced IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10 in modulating relapse risk using a prospective cohort with established relapsing-remitting MS. Methods Cytokine production from PBMCs taken in summer and winter was measured by ELISA. Predictors of cytokines assessed by multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. Predictors of relapse assessed by survival analysis. Results Increasing IFN-γ was associated with increasing relapse risk, while increasing TNF-α reduced relapse risk after adjusting for IF..