IL-6 and CCL2 levels in CSF are associated with the clinical course of MS: Implications for their possible immunopathogenic roles

Biological markers would provide valuable tools for tracking disease activity, immunopathological processes or therapeutic efficacy in MS. In this study we analysed a panel of Th-1/Tb-2 Cytokines and the chemokine CCL2 in serum and CSF from NIS patients and healthy controls. Increased levels of IL-6 (p < 0.05) and decreased levels of CCL2 (p < 0.001), with the lowest levels during acute relapses, was found in CSF from patients with relapsing-remitting MS. CSF levels of CCL2 correlated with indices for intrathecal IgG production and the CSF level of the neurofilament light protein, a marker for axonal damage, indicating a immunopathogenic role for CCL2. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.