CXCL11 (Interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant) and interleukin-18 in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with methylprednisolone.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chemokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), facilitating the trafficking of immune cells across the blood-brain barrier. Interferon-inducible T-cell alpha-chemoattractant (CXCL11) recruits activated Th1 cells to sites of inflammation. In this study, we wanted to estimate the levels of CXCL11 chemokine and interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory cytokine, in sera of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, both before and after methylprednisolone (MP) treatment, and to compare the results with those in the control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum CXCL11 and IL-18 concentrations were measured by the ELISA method in 30 RRMS patients during relapse both before and after MP treatment, and in 20 healthy blood donors.

RESULTS

We found significantly increased CXCL11 and IL-18 serum levels in RRMS patients as compared with controls. Additionally, no influence of MP therapy on the serum levels of CXCL11 and IL-18 was observed.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that CXCR3 receptor ligand, CXCL11, may be involved in MS pathogenesis.