Multiple sclerosis: Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases are affected differentially by treatment with IFN-β

Interferon-beta (IFN-β) has a beneficial influence on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has become standard treatment of this disease, though its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. This study examines the effect of IFN-β treatment on the cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10; the metalloproteinases MMP-3, -7 and -9 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). IFN-β treatment resulted in decreased numbers of mononuclear cells (MNC) secreting IL-6 and TNF-α and expressing mRNA of MMP-3 and MMP-9 compared to pretreatment levels. On the contrary, numbers of IL-10 secreting MNC and TIMP-1 mRNA expressing were augmented during IFN-β therapy. Whether the down-regulatory effects on pro-inflammatory and upregulatory effects on anti-inflammatory molecules are a direct result of IFN-β on the immune system or secondary to clinical stabilization of MS pathology induced by IFN-β remains to be evaluated. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.