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Serum levels of CXCL13 are elevated in active multiple sclerosis
Eugene D Festa1, Karolina Hankiewicz, Soyeon Kim
1UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|October 7, 2009
Summary
Serum levels of the B cell chemokine CXCL13 correlate with active multiple sclerosis (MS). Elevated CXCL13 indicates disease activity and is not affected by common MS treatments, suggesting its role in MS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- B cells are increasingly recognized for their role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- Elevated levels of the B cell chemokine CXCL13 have been observed in MS serum and cerebrospinal fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum levels of CXCL13 and active MS.
- To determine if CXCL13 levels correlate with MRI-detected disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum CXCL13 levels in 74 relapsing MS patients.
- Patients underwent monthly 3 Tesla (3T) brain MRI scans for up to 2 years to detect gadolinium-enhancing lesions.
- Patients were randomized to receive interferon beta-1b or glatiramer acetate treatments.
Main Results:
- Serum CXCL13 levels were significantly higher during periods of active brain MRI scans (p < 0.01).
- Patients with no MRI remission had higher serum CXCL13 levels compared to those in complete (p < 0.01) or partial (p = 0.01) remission.
- A significant positive correlation was found between serum CXCL13 levels and MRI activity over 2 years (r = 0.33–0.35, p < 0.05).
- Interferon beta-1b and glatiramer acetate treatments did not alter serum CXCL13 levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum CXCL13 levels are significantly associated with active MS.
- CXCL13 may serve as a valuable biomarker for monitoring MS disease activity.
- The findings support the role of B cell chemokine CXCL13 in MS pathogenesis.
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