[Surface CD2, CD4, CD8 markers and IL-2 and TNF-alpha cytokines in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

The cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is still unknown. In the paper CD2, CD4 and CD8 markers on mononuclear cells as well as levels of TNF-alpha and IL-2 in sera from 15 patients with ALS were evaluated. There was a significant increase of TNF-alpha in sera of ALS patients in comparison with control group. This is the first such observation. It supports the concept that immune mechanisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of ALS.