| 摘要 |
A method for identifying an autoimmune or demyelinating disease in a subject is described. The method includes (a) obtaining a sample comprising CD4+ T cells from a subject; (b) determining a level of IL-6 responsiveness of CD4+ T cells from the sample; (c) comparing the level of IL-6 responsiveness determined in step (b) with a level of IL-6 responsiveness of CD4+ T cells in a sample from a healthy subject; and (d) identifying the subject as having an autoimmune or demyelinating disease based upon an elevated level of IL-6 responsiveness in the subject. Biomarkers include, for example, IL-6Rα and/or pSTAT3. Methods for identifying and characterizing multiple sclerosis and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis are also described. |
