Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

Circulating levels of soluble apoptosis-related molecules in patients with multiple sclerosis

Montserrat Moreno1, Matías Sáenz-Cuesta, Joaquín Castilló

  • 1Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Cemcat, Institut de Recerca Vall d'Hebron, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron (HUVH), Barcelona, Spain.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Defective apoptosis in multiple sclerosis (MS) may involve TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Researchers found lower TRAIL levels in relapsing-remitting MS patients during relapses, suggesting TRAIL

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Defective apoptotic elimination of autoreactive T lymphocytes is implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
  • Soluble apoptosis-related molecules may serve as biomarkers for MS activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), Fas ligand (sFasL), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL) in patients with multiple sclerosis.
  • To determine if these soluble factors correlate with disease activity or clinical form in MS.

Main Methods:

  • Immunoassay was used to quantify serum levels of sFas, sFasL, and sTRAIL.
  • Levels were compared between 92 untreated MS patients (various clinical forms and activity phases) and 38 healthy controls (HC).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in serum sFas, sFasL, or sTRAIL levels were observed between MS patients and HC overall.
  • However, sTRAIL levels were significantly decreased in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) during active relapse phases.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest a potential role for TRAIL dysregulation in the pathogenesis of MS, particularly during acute relapses.
  • Reduced TRAIL levels during relapses may indicate impaired apoptotic mechanisms contributing to disease activity in MS.
Keywords:
ApoptosisFasFasLMultiple sclerosisRelapseTRAIL

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices06:36

An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: February 5, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...