Interleukin-6 and Oligoclonal IgG Synthesis in Children with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

R. C. Dale; A. Morovat

doi:10.1055/s-2003-41281

Neuropediatrics, Table of Contents

Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(3): 141-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41281

Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Interleukin-6 and Oligoclonal IgG Synthesis in Children with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

R. C. Dale¹ ^, ² , A. Morovat²

¹Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
²Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a number of roles including recruitment of T lymphocytes and differentiation of B lymphocytes into IgG-secreting plasma cells. Furthermore, IL-6 is a neuropoietic cytokine with effects on neuronal differentiation, function and survival. We studied IL-6 concentrations in children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM; n = 14), and compared the values with those obtained from control patients with other inflammatory (OIND; n = 13) and non-inflammatory (NIND; n = 10) neurological disorders. Patients with ADEM had a significantly increased CSF IL-6 concentration compared with both OIND and NIND groups (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 was also increased in the ADEM group compared with the OIND group (P < 0.05). CSF: serum IL-6 ratios were significantly increased in the ADEM group compared with the NIND group (P < 0.05), suggesting an intrathecal production of IL-6 rather than its passive transfer across the blood-brain barrier alone. In ADEM, there was a significant correlation between an increased CSF IL-6 and an identical pattern of oligoclonal IgG synthesis in both serum and CSF (P < 0.05). These results would suggest a role for IL-6 in the pathology of ADEM, and a possible direct link between an increased IL-6 and a proliferation of B lymphocytes with consequent IgG production.

Key words

ADEM - antibody - demyelination - IL-6

Full Text

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R. C. Dale

Neurosciences Unit, Wolfson Centre

Meckelenburgh Square, Institute of Child Health

London WC1 N 3JJ

UK

Email: R.Dale@ion.ucl.ac.uk