Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

•Serum TNF-α, HGF, MIP-1β and IL-1β levels were elevated in CIDP patients.•Serum HGF levels were increased in typical CIDP patients, but not in MADSAM.•Patients with high HGF levels showed good responses to steroid treatment.•Different cytokine profiles in the two subtypes would reflect the different pathogenesis.

To identify serum cytokine networks specific to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), serum samples of two subgroups (18 patients with typical CIDP and 12 patients with multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy [MADSAM]) were analyzed with multiplex magnetic bead-based cytokine assay. TNF-α, HGF, MIP-1β and IL-1β levels were significantly higher in total CIDP patients than in normal controls. Of these, HGF levels were elevated in typical CIDP patients, but not in MADSAM patients. Patients with high HGF levels showed good responses to steroid treatment. Different cytokine profiles among the CIDP subtypes presumably reflect differences in pathophysiology.