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IL-6 and sIL-6R concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of MS patients
Z Stelmasiak1, M Kozioł-Montewka, B Dobosz
1Department of Neurology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland. konrej@hipokrates.am.lublin.pl
Background:
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of cytokine IL-6 in correlation with its soluble receptor sIL-6R in the serum and CSF of MS patients.
Material And Methods:
The study group consisted of 52 MS patients in clinical stage 2-7 according to the Kurtzke Scale (mean 3.6 +/- 1.8); the disease duration ranged from 2 to 22 years. The levels of interleukin-6 and sIL-6R in serum and CSF were determined using commercial ELISA kits.
Results:
An significant increase of IL-6 (p=0.03) was found in the serum of MS patients (12.1 +/- 1.8 pg/ml) in comparison to the control group (6.6 +/- 4.5 pg/ml). The concentration of IL-6 in the CSF of MS patients was 13.4 +/- 1.77 pg/ml, and in the majority of patients was higher than in the serum. The highest mean IL-6 concentrations in serum and CSF were found in patients with a longer disease duration, although the differences were not statistically significant. We found some degree of dependence between the serum IL-6 concentration and the level of disability on the Kurtzke scale. The concentrations of sIL-6R in serum (34.0 +/- 39.0 pg/ml) and cerebrospinal fluid (1.4 +/- 3.3 pg/ml) were significantly higher in MS patients than in the controls.
Conclusions:
IL-6 and its soluble receptors are involved in a complex immunological reaction that is characteristic for MS. However, the significant differences in the results obtained here from those reported in other studies make it rather unlikely that IL-6 and its receptors could be used as surrogate markers of MS activity.
Insights
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) are elevated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, these markers are unlikely to serve as reliable indicators of MS disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) involves complex immunological reactions.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key cytokine implicated in inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between IL-6 and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients.
- To assess the potential of IL-6 and sIL-6R as biomarkers for MS activity.
Main Methods:
- Serum and CSF samples from 52 MS patients and controls were analyzed.
- Quantification of IL-6 and sIL-6R was performed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated serum IL-6 levels were observed in MS patients compared to controls (p=0.03).
- IL-6 concentrations in CSF were generally higher than in serum for MS patients.
- Significantly higher concentrations of sIL-6R were found in both serum and CSF of MS patients compared to controls.
- A correlation between serum IL-6 and Kurtzke Scale disability was noted.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 and sIL-6R are involved in the immunological response characteristic of MS.
- Despite observed elevations, IL-6 and sIL-6R are unlikely to be effective surrogate markers for MS activity due to study result variability.
