Correlation of midkine serum level with pro- and anti-inflamatory cytokines in multiple sclerosis
Vahid Shaygannejad1, Saeed Montazeri, Azam Jamshidian
1Department of Neurology and Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81745-319, Iran,
Background:
Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor with promoting effects in inflammatory responses through enhancing leukocytes migration.
Objective:
To study the correlation between MK serum levels and concentration of inflammatory cytokines in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.
Methods:
We evaluated the MK level and its relationship with inflammatory cytokines (IL-17 and IL-23) and anti-inflammatory ones (IL-10 and TGF-β) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The serum concentrations of MK and cytokines were assessed by ELISA in 32 MS patients in comparison with 32 healthy subjects.
Results:
Our data showed that the MK concentration in MS patients is lower than healthy controls (341.15 ± 40.71 Pg/ml vs. 620.15 ± 98.61 Pg/ml, respectively, p=0.015). We also observed a significant decrease in IL-10, IL-23, and TGF-β cytokine levels in MS patients. There was a significant correlation between MK and IL-23 concentrations in our study (r = +0.829, p≤ 0.001).
Conclusion:
These results confirm a role for MK in inflammatory reactions in MS.
