Production of IL-10 in demyelinating inflammatory processes in the central nervous system [Cellule produttrici di IL-10 nei processi infiammatori demielinizzanti nel sistema nervoso centrale]

The ability of human brain endothelial cells to produce mRNA for interleukin-10, and release IL-10 in culture supernatants after in vitro stimulation with LPS, TNF-α and γ-IFN was assessed and compared to that of astrocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The presence of mRNA for IL-10 and TNF-α was also investigated in 4 multiple sclerosis lesions. While increased IL-1β and β2- microglobulin release in the supernatants of stimulated cells could be detected in all the studied cell lineages, IL-10 mRNA and protein release was only seen in LPS-stimulated PBMNCs. We could not detect mRNA for IL-10 in MS lesions; on the other hand, 2 of 4 were positive for the presence of mRNA for TNF-α. The lack of production of significant amounts of IL-10 by astrocytes and human brain endothelial cells suggests that these cells may not be the primary source of in vive IL-10-mediated down-regulation of immune reactions within the central nervous system.