Increased neutralization capacity of TNF-α in sera of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients is not related to soluble TNF-α receptors or anti-TNF-α autoantibody levels

J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Sep 15:286:83-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.07.005. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

The increased TNF-α levels in active lesions and CSF of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and the beneficial effect of TNF-α blockade in animal models of MS led to the therapeutic usage of TNF-α antagonists. However, systemic TNF-α blockade exacerbated MS activity and was associated with new-onset MS when implemented for treating other autoimmune disorders. We employed a TNF-α neutralization bioassay and demonstrated that the capacity of sera from untreated and IFN-β-treated relapsing remitting MS patients to neutralize TNF-α is significantly higher than that of matched healthy controls. This finding was not related to sTNFRI, sTNFRII, or anti-TNF-α Abs levels.

Keywords: Anti-TNF-α autoantibodies; Multiple sclerosis; Soluble TNF receptors; TNF-α neutralization; Tumor necrosis factor α.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-beta