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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
The association between blood MxA mRNA and long-term disease activity in early multiple sclerosis
Eline M E Coerver1, Eva M M Strijbis1, Laura F Petzold2
1Department of Neurology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Background:
Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is a protein that is upregulated by interferon-beta. Homeostatic MxA mRNA levels are potentially correlated with inflammatory disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) and could have an important role in MS pathology.
Aim:
To investigate the association between myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) mRNA levels in blood and disease activity and progression in MS over a long-term follow-up period.
Methods:
Baseline blood MxA mRNA levels were determined in a prospective cohort of 116 untreated patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or early relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), and related to long-term relapses, radiological disease activity, clinical scores [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), timed-25-foot walk (T25FW), 9-hole-peg test (9HPT)], MS type, and disease modifying therapy (DMT) use.
Results:
Low MxA mRNA levels were associated with the occurrence of ≥9 T2-lesions on MRI imaging and the occurrence of relapses during long-term follow-up (median 11 years, IQR 5.91-13.69 years). MxA mRNA levels were not associated with EDSS, T25FW, 9HPT, and MS subtype.
Conclusion:
Baseline MxA mRNA levels are associated with long-term development of T2-lesions on MRI-scans in our cohort. This confirms the relevance of the endogenous interferon-beta system in the occurrence of MS disease activity.
