The predictive value of CSF multiple assay in multiple sclerosis: A single center experience

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Neurology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease.
• Identifying prognostic biomarkers is crucial for early MS detection and progression prediction in clinical isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the correlation between serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of BAFF, chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), sCD163, and Osteopontin (OPN) with MS disease activity and progression.
• To explore relationships between these biomarkers in serum and CSF.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed serum and CSF levels of BAFF, CHI3L1, sCD163, and OPN in 71 patients with demyelinating diseases (46 RRMS, 25 CIS) and 11 controls using Luminex xMAP.
• Correlated biomarker levels with clinical and radiological disease activity and progression.
• Utilized Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate predictive capabilities.

Main Results:

• CSF CHI3L1, sCD163, and OPN levels were significantly higher in MS patients compared to controls.
• CSF sCD163 and CHI3L1 levels were elevated in CIS patients who later converted to MS.
• CSF sCD163 demonstrated the strongest predictive value for MS conversion, with CHI3L1 and OPN also showing independent predictive utility.

Conclusions:

• CSF levels of sCD163, CHI3L1, and OPN are elevated in MS, highlighting CSF's specificity for CNS inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes.
• CSF sCD163 and CHI3L1 show potential as biomarkers for predicting MS conversion and progression.