Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Production and Immune Cell Activation in Tuberculous Meningitis

[摘要] The local production of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα)was evaluated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from ten patientswith tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The degree of intrathecal immuneactivation was also studied by assessing the CSF levels ofβ2-microglobulin (β2-M) andadenosine deaminase activity (ADA). Results indicate that elevatedCSF concentrations of TNFα, β2-M and ADA werefound in all TBM patients. Moreover, TNFα is produced andselectively concentrated for a long period of time, whileβ2-M and ADA values progressively decline during thecourse of TBM. Our findings suggest that in TBM patients, after anearly activation of immune cells, there is an enhanced andcontinuous production of TNFα at the site of infection.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学