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. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.