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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Measuring Progressive Neurological Disability in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: November 14, 2016
A comparison of serum inflammatory parameters in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis
Maria Nowak-Kiczmer1, Natalia Niedziela1, Zenon P Czuba2
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland.
Introduction:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Primary progressive MS (PPMS) is diagnosed in approximately 10-15 % of MS patients. Disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are less effective in modifying the course of progressive types of MS. It seems that inflammatory processes differ in the MS subtypes.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to assess differences in the inflammatory parameters between PPMS and other courses of MS.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 84 subjects were included in the study. The study group was divided according to the course of MS into the following categories: PPMS (n = 24); SPMS-secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (n = 14); RRMS-relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (n = 46). PPMS patients were further divided into treated with ocrelizumab and treatment-naive groups. The concentrations of serum inflammatory parameters were evaluated.
Results:
PPMS and SPMS significantly differed in the serum levels of sCD30, gp130, sIL-6R alpha, osteopontin, pentraxin-3 and sTNF-R1. The serum concentrations of IFN-alpha2, IL-10, IL-20, IL-29 and osteopontin significantly differed between PPMS and RRMS. The serum levels of BAFF, IL-19, IL-20, pentraxin-3, s-TNF-R1 and s-TNF-R2 significantly differed between PPMS treated with ocrelizumab and treatment-naive.
Conclusion:
Although inflammatory processes take part in the pathogenesis of all types of MS, they differ between MS courses. Serum inflammatory parameters seem to be promising biomarkers in helping to differentiate courses of MS, and in assessing reactions to DMT treatment. Further investigations on their usage are required.
Insights
Inflammatory markers differ across multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes, including primary progressive MS (PPMS). These serum inflammatory parameters may help distinguish MS courses and assess treatment responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease.
- Primary progressive MS (PPMS) accounts for 10-15% of MS cases, with limited treatment efficacy.
- Inflammatory processes may vary between different MS subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in serum inflammatory parameters between PPMS and other MS disease courses.
- To evaluate inflammatory markers in PPMS patients receiving ocrelizumab versus those treatment-naive.
Main Methods:
- Study included 84 subjects categorized into PPMS (n=24), secondary progressive MS (SPMS, n=14), and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS, n=46).
- PPMS patients were further stratified into ocrelizumab-treated and treatment-naive groups.
- Serum concentrations of various inflammatory parameters were measured and compared.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in sCD30, gp130, sIL-6R alpha, osteopontin, pentraxin-3, and sTNF-R1 were observed between PPMS and SPMS.
- PPMS differed from RRMS in serum levels of IFN-alpha2, IL-10, IL-20, IL-29, and osteopontin.
- Differences in BAFF, IL-19, IL-20, pentraxin-3, s-TNF-R1, and s-TNF-R2 were noted between treated and untreated PPMS groups.
Conclusions:
- Inflammatory processes vary among different MS courses, despite their role in overall MS pathogenesis.
- Serum inflammatory parameters show potential as biomarkers for differentiating MS subtypes.
- These biomarkers may also aid in assessing treatment responses to disease-modifying therapies.
