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Plasma Interleukin-33 level in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Is it negatively correlated with central
Hubert Mado1, Monika Adamczyk-Sowa1, Wojciech Bartman1
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.
Background:
Cytokines and chemokines are undoubtedly involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). There are many reports that suggest a significant role for Interleukin-33 (IL-33) in the course of MS development, but it is not clear whether negative or positive. We therefore investigated plasma IL-33 levels in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Methods:
The study consisted of RRMS patients (n = 73) and healthy subjects (n = 54). Blood samples were taken from all and plasma IL-33 levels were then determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Patients also underwent laboratory and imaging tests and their disability status was assessed.
Results:
Plasma IL-33 levels were marginally significantly higher in patients with RRMS (p = 0.07). Higher IL-33 levels are significantly associated with higher age (p = 0.01). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between plasma IL-33 levels and the number of high signal intensity lesions in T2-weighted MRI (p = 0.03). After dividing the number of lesions into groups < 9 and ≥ 9 T2-weighted lesions, the Student's t-test for unrelated variables showed a negative correlation, but not statistically significant (p = 0.22), while the Spearman's correlation showed a marginally significant correlation (p = 0.06) between IL-33 level and number of T2-weighted lesions. IL-33 was also shown to have a significant ability to differentiate RRMS patients from healthy subjects with a sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 70% (p = 0.00).
Conclusions:
Patients with RRMS have elevated plasma IL-33 levels. In RRMS patients with mild disability, high plasma levels of IL-33 may have neuroprotective effects potentially by stimulating remyelination and/or suppressing autoimmune inflammation and damage. Further studies on this matter on a larger number of patients are needed.
Insights
Elevated Interleukin-33 (IL-33) plasma levels were found in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Higher IL-33 may offer neuroprotection in early RRMS by reducing inflammation and promoting remyelination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cytokines and chemokines are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- The specific role of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) in MS development remains unclear.
- This study investigates plasma IL-33 levels in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine plasma IL-33 levels in RRMS patients compared to healthy controls.
- To explore the association between IL-33 levels and clinical/imaging parameters in RRMS.
- To assess IL-33's potential as a diagnostic biomarker for RRMS.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure plasma IL-33 levels.
- Study included 73 RRMS patients and 54 healthy controls.
- Patients underwent laboratory tests, MRI, and disability assessments.
Main Results:
- Plasma IL-33 levels were marginally higher in RRMS patients (p=0.07).
- Higher IL-33 correlated with older age (p=0.01) and fewer T2 lesions on MRI (p=0.03).
- IL-33 demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, differentiating RRMS patients with 99% sensitivity and 70% specificity (p=0.00).
Conclusions:
- RRMS patients exhibit elevated plasma IL-33 levels.
- High IL-33 may confer neuroprotective effects in early RRMS, potentially aiding remyelination and reducing inflammation.
- Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
