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01-12-2009 | Letter to the editors

Markedly increased CSF interleukin-6 levels in neuromyelitis optica, but not in multiple sclerosis

Authors: Akiyuki Uzawa, Masahiro Mori, Michihiro Ito, Tomohiko Uchida, Sei Hayakawa, Saeko Masuda, Satoshi Kuwabara

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 12/2009

Abstract

To investigate differences in helper T cell immune responses in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS), we measured CSF levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ at the time of relapse in 17 NMO patients and 21 MS patients using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. CSF IL-6 levels were significantly higher in NMO patients than in patients with MS (P = 0.001) and other neurological diseases (P = 0.001). The other cytokines tested were undetectable. Elevated CSF levels of IL-6 in only NMO supports the view of different pathophysiologies of NMO and MS. CSF IL-6 levels may be useful in the differential diagnosis of the two disorders.

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Title: Markedly increased CSF interleukin-6 levels in neuromyelitis optica, but not in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Akiyuki Uzawa
Masahiro Mori
Michihiro Ito
Tomohiko Uchida
Sei Hayakawa
Saeko Masuda
Satoshi Kuwabara
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 12/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5274-4

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Markedly increased CSF interleukin-6 levels in neuromyelitis optica, but not in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

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Abstract

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