Tumor necrosis factor O and its receptors in multiple sclerosis

We characterized the extent and timing of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α-system activation during multiple sclerosis (MS). We measured serum levels of soluble TNFOC, soluble TNFαreceptor 1 (R1) and soluble TNFα receptor 2 (R2) in 65 MS patients in different phases of disease and we found no differences between MS patients and healthy controls and no correlation with clinical relapses, presence of gadolinium-enhancing brain-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions and bioactivity of TNFa. We also measured, in 8 additional MS patients peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) mRNA and serum levels of TNFCX, Rl and R2 every 15 days for 5 menths aerear elinical evcavhation PRMC TNFα R1 and R2 mRNA and serum levels of soluble Rl and R2, but not TNFa, fluctuated concordantly (p