Effects of interferon-β on the cytokine production of astrocytes

The effects of interferon (IFN)-β used for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the central nervous system (CNS) have not yet been elucidated. The effect of IFN-β and IFN-γ on astrocytes as the major component of the CNS was investigated using murine primary astrocytes and human astrocytoma U251 cell line. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS were analyzed by RT-PCR. Both protein and mRNA levels of IL-6 were increased by IFN-β. IFN-γ augmented the effect of IFN-β on IL-6 production. These results suggest that IFN-β has an activity to modulate inflammatory and immune responses by up-regulating IL-6 in the CNS of MS.