Association between TNFA, IL10 and IL18 promoter gene variants and cognitive functions in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between TNFA-308G > A, IL10-1082A > G, IL18-607C > A, and cognitive functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Results: In the patients' group: AG genotype of TNFA-308G > A was associated with higher serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) than GG genotype, and higher TNF-alpha levels correlated with poorer results on Symbol Digit Modalities Test; CC genotype of IL18-607C > A was related to lower score on Isaacs test, compared to AC variant; AA genotype of IL10-1082A > G was associated with abnormally low results on Paced Auditory Series Addition Test.

Conclusions: TNFA-308G > A, IL10-1082A > G and IL18-607C > A gene variants may be associated with impaired cognitive functions in RRMS patients.

Alterations in serum levels of IL-17 in contrast to TNF-alpha correspond to disease-modifying treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Cytokines of different types play an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis as mediators and regulators of the immune processes in the central nervous system. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate on serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-17 A and their correlation with the degree of disability in clinically stable patients with relapsing-remitting MS. A cross-sectional, case-control study of 220 patients (68 treatment naïve; 152 treated with interferon-beta or glatiramer acetate) and 99 clinically healthy age-gender-body mass index-matched subjects were performed.