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Cerebrospinal fluid BAFF and APRIL levels in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis patients during relapse

Honghao Wang1, Kai Wang, Xiaonan Zhong

  • 1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Journal of Clinical Immunology
|May 31, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Levels of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in cerebrospinal fluid are elevated in NMO patients compared to MS patients and controls. These factors correlate with disease severity in NMO.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cytokine Signaling
  • Autoimmune Demyelinating Diseases

Background:

  • B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are critical B-cell survival factors.
  • Elevated BAFF levels are noted in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) BAFF and APRIL levels in Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Quantify CSF BAFF and APRIL concentrations in NMO patients.
  • Investigate the association between CSF BAFF/APRIL and disease activity in NMO.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure CSF BAFF and APRIL.
  • Study included NMO (n=22), MS (n=18), and control (n=14) cohorts.

Main Results:

  • NMO patients exhibited significantly higher CSF BAFF and APRIL levels than MS patients and controls.
  • CSF BAFF and APRIL levels in controls were lower than in MS patients.
  • Increased CSF BAFF correlated with greater disease disability in both NMO and MS.
  • CSF APRIL was associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in NMO, but not in MS.

Conclusions:

  • The BAFF/APRIL system is implicated in aggressive B-cell and T-cell responses in NMO and MS relapses.
  • CSF BAFF and APRIL may be pivotal in NMO's B-cell immune response and disease severity.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of BAFF and APRIL as biomarkers in NMO.

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