Prolyl oligopeptidase is inhibited in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative central nervous system disease.
• Inflammation and neurodegeneration are closely linked in MS lesions and disease progression.
• Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) is a protease involved in neurodegeneration and inflammation modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasma prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) activity and its endogenous inhibitor levels in relapsing-remitting MS patients.
• To correlate POP activity with patient age and disease disability status.
• To explore the role of oxidative conditions in POP inactivation in MS.

Main Methods:

• Measured plasma POP activity using fluorescently labeled substrates in MS patients and healthy controls.
• Quantified levels of endogenous POP inhibitors.
• Analyzed data in relation to patient age and disability scores.

Main Results:

• Observed significantly lower POP activity in MS patients compared to controls.
• Found increased levels of the endogenous POP inhibitor in MS patients.
• Demonstrated that reduced POP activity in MS plasma could be restored by reductants.

Conclusions:

• Decreased POP activity in MS is linked to oxidative plasma conditions.
• POP inactivation in MS plasma may be caused by prevailing oxidative stress.
• Plasma POP activity and inhibitor levels show potential as biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress in MS.