Elevated CSF concentration of CCL3 and CCL4 in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients

CCL3 and CCL4 are considered as inflammatory cytokines and involved in progression of various neurologic disorders as multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of above mentioned inflammatory cytokines and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS. In this case-control study, 40 unrelated patients (without family relationship) with RRMS and 40 age and sex matched subjects as control group were enrolled. CSF samples obtained from all patients and control group and levels of CCL3 and CCL4 were determined in CSF. The mean CSF level of CCL3 was significantly higher in RRMS patients than healthy controls (29.71±18.56 vs. 10.62±6.85, p<0.01). The CSF levels of CCL4 was also higher in RRMS patients compared with healthy controls (33.62±21.50 vs. 13.74±4.90, p<0.01). We found a positive correlation between CSF levels of CCL3 and disease duration (r=+0.32 and p=0.04) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) (r=+45, p=0.03). We also found a positive correlation between CSF level of CCL4 and disease duration (r=+0.76 and p<0.01) and EDSS (r=+0.73, p<0.01). Present study showed contribution of CCL3 and CCL4 in MS pathogenesis and suggested them as markers of severity of disease. Investigation  of chemokines responsible for attract  of pathogenic T lymphocyte and macrophage in to the central nerves system(CNS) is crucial for therapeutic targets in MS.