Journal
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
Volume 7, Issue 3, Pages 281-289Publisher
BLACKWELL SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2000.00074.x
Keywords
cerebrospinal fluid immunology; methylprednisolone; multiple sclerosis; optic neuritis; T-cell immunology
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The immunological effects of high-dose methylprednisolone in attacks of multiple sclerosis and acute optic neuritis have only been examined in a few randomized, controlled trials. We studied immunological changes in 50 patients with optic neuritis or multiple sclerosis who underwent lumbar puncture before and 1 week after completing a 15-day course of oral high-dose methylprednisolone treatment. Treatment resulted in a decrease in the concentration of myelin basic protein, a decrease in the serum concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and intrathecal IgG synthesis, an increase in the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1, and changes in the expression of CD25, CD26, and human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on CD4 T-cells. No effect was seen on the cerebrospinal fluid leucocyte count or the cerebrospinal fluid activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The lack of a persistent effect on cerebrospinal fluid leucocyte recruitment and MMP-9 activity, despite changes in IgG synthesis, T-cell activation, and cytokine production, suggests that modulation of the function of inflammatory cells may contribute to the clinical efficacy of oral high-dose methylprednisolone treatment in optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available