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Thrombomodulin in the sera of patients with multiple sclerosis and human lymphotropic virus type-1-associated
N Tsukada1, M Matsuda, K Miyagi
1Department of Health Medical Center and Neurology, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan.
Abstract:
Damage to the blood-brain barrier, which mainly consists of cerebral endothelial cells, has been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinically and histochemically. To investigate the endothelial cell damage, we evaluated the presence of soluble thrombomodulin in the sera of patients with MS and human T lymphotropic virus type-1-associated myelopathy (HAM) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum thrombomodulin levels were significantly increased in patients with acute relapsing MS during an exacerbation and chronic progressive MS as compared with those of controls (P < 0.001, respectively). Patients with HAM also had higher serum levels of thrombomodulin than did controls (P < 0.001). There was significant difference between patients with HAM and seropositive non-HAM carriers (P < 0.01). These results suggest that the detection of serum thrombomodulin could be used as a marker of endothelial cell damage in inflammatory diseases such as MS and HAM.
Insights
Serum thrombomodulin levels are elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and human T lymphotropic virus type-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), indicating endothelial cell damage. This finding suggests soluble thrombomodulin as a potential biomarker for these inflammatory neurological diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is crucial for neurological health.
- Cerebral endothelial cell damage is a hallmark of inflammatory neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endothelial cell damage in MS and human T lymphotropic virus type-1-associated myelopathy (HAM).
- To evaluate soluble thrombomodulin as a potential biomarker for endothelial cell damage in these diseases.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from patients with MS and HAM were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Soluble thrombomodulin levels were compared between patient groups and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated serum thrombomodulin levels were observed in patients with acute relapsing MS, chronic progressive MS, and HAM compared to controls.
- A significant difference in thrombomodulin levels was found between HAM patients and seropositive non-HAM carriers.
Conclusions:
- Soluble thrombomodulin is a potential biomarker for endothelial cell damage in inflammatory neurological diseases.
- ELISA detection of serum thrombomodulin may aid in diagnosing and monitoring MS and HAM.
