Gas6/TAM system as potential biomarker for multiple sclerosis prognosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) and its tyrosine kinase receptors (TAM) regulate inflammation and cell clearance.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating central nervous system inflammatory disease.
• Gas6 and TAM receptors are implicated in remyelination and oligodendrocyte survival, but clinical correlations in MS are underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate soluble Gas6 and TAM receptor levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of MS patients at diagnosis.
• To correlate these levels with short-term disease severity markers.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 64 patients with early MS (CIS, RIS, RRMS).
• Serum and CSF samples collected pre-treatment.
• Assessed clinical data (disease course, lesions, EDSS) and biomarkers (Gas6, Axl, Mer, NFLs) via ELISA and immunoassay.

Main Results:

• Higher serum soluble Axl (sAxl) observed in patients on low-efficacy disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).
• Elevated CSF Gas6 and serum sAxl correlated with lower Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) at diagnosis.
• Serum Gas6 levels inversely correlated with MS Severity Score (MSSS).
• Neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels confirmed as reliable disability biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• Gas6 and its receptors may exert a protective role in MS.
• These molecules show potential as biomarkers for disease severity in MS patients.