Assessment of IL-17 in multiple sclerosis and its relationship with disease severity in Egypt

Central nervous system (CNS) demyelination and neurodegeneration are hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathophysiology of MS is related to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17), and there may be an association between IL-17 levels and disease severity. In order to find a non-invasive biomarker for disease progression, serum IL-17 levels in MS patients were measured in comparison to a matched control group. Additionally, the relationship between serum IL-17 levels and MS activity was examined. This case-control study included 31 MS patients who were diagnosed using the 2017 updated McDonald's criteria and a control group consisted of 20 apparently healthy individuals, matched for both age and sex. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for IL-17 concentrations using ELISA commercial kits. Clinical evaluations included demographic data, medical history, and an assessment of disease severity using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The study assessed serum levels of IL-17, and found significantly higher levels in MS patients (38.79± 37.36) in comparison to controls (1.47± 0.49). Levels of IL-17 were increased in secondary progressive MS patients than in relapsing-remitting MS patients, but did not reach statistical significance. No significant associations were identified between IL-17 levels and the duration of the MS disease or the frequency of relapses. In conclusion, the study pointed to increased IL-17 levels as a potential MS biomarker.