Here is a little tech info on what cytokines are and do.

Cytokines: Soluble glycoproteins secreted by immune system cells that modulate immune and inflammatory responses. They are divided into two broad categories: pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and interferon gamma (IFN-g), are associated with the T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell subclass, and upregulate cell mediated inflammatory responses. Anti-inflammatory cytokines include transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), interferons alpha (IFNa) and beta (IFNb) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Interleukin 4 (IL-4), associated with the T-helper type 2 (Th2) subclass is involved in allergic inflammation, but downregulates cell-mediated immune responses. Cytokines play an important role in MS, based on studies of both the EAE animal model and human disease. The pro-inflammatory cytokines are considered to induce or worsen disease features in MS. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokines are thought to be protective and to ameliorate disease features in MS.

They direct/cause the MMPs to do lots of MS damage but that is another posting.

jackD