Detection of transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA in cerebrospinal fluid cells of patients with meningitis by non-radioactive in situ hybridization.

Meningitis is a serious disease mostly caused by viral or bacterial infections. In complicated cases it may lead to brain damage and death. The infection and cell damage result in a cellular and immunological response. Following this, a high secretion of cytokines can be expected. Cytokines, especially tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), promote the inflammatory reactions in the subarachnoid space. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has antagonistic effects on TNF-alpha and IL-1-mediated processes. Therefore, it suppresses inflammatory reactions. To observe the expression of TGF-beta 1 in transcellular signalling in the inflammatory processes of meningitis, we investigated TGF-beta 1 mRNA in cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of three patients with meningitis by non-radioactive in situ hybridization. All patients fulfilled the usual clinical criteria of meningitis. In one case Neisseria menigitidis could be identified as the pathogenic agent. In the remainder, no agent could be isolated. In all cytological preparations of the cerebrospinal fluid of these patients a high level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was detectable in the cell populations. It was possible to distinguish between the different cell types of the cerebrospinal fluid and to attach the mRNA expression to them. On the one hand, this makes it possible to investigate pathogenesis and defence mechanisms in bacterial and aseptic meningitis on a cellular level; on the other hand, it may open new perspectives in the control of disease development, prognosis, diagnosis and supporting therapy.