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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Depletion and Reconstitution of Macrophages in Mice
Published on: August 1, 2012
Serum levels of macrophage-derived protein MRP-8/14 are elevated in active multiple sclerosis
T Bogumil1, P Rieckmann, B Kubuschok
1Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen, Germany. tbogumi@gwdg.de
Abstract:
Serum concentrations of two macrophage-derived calcium-binding proteins, MRP-8 and MRP-8/14, were studied in 28 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum levels were determined with a commercially available sandwich ELISA and the one-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Median serum levels of MRP-8/14 were significantly higher in MS patients (5150 ng/ml) compared to 26 healthy controls (1482 ng/ml) and significantly higher in MS patients within an acute relapse (6690 ng/ml) compared to MS patients with stable disease (3050 ng/ml). MRP-8 levels were not elevated in MS patients. These results may indicate an early activation of macrophages in the formation of demyelinating MS plaques. In addition, increased serum levels of MRP-8/14 may prove to be a useful paraclinical disease activity parameter in MS patients.
Insights
Serum levels of macrophage-related protein 8/14 (MRP-8/14) were significantly higher in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, especially during relapses. This suggests MRP-8/14 may indicate MS disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Calcium-Binding Proteins
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- Macrophage activation is implicated in MS pathogenesis, particularly in the formation of demyelinating plaques.
- Macrophage-Rich Protein-8 (MRP-8) and its complex with MRP-14 (MRP-8/14) are calcium-binding proteins released by activated macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum concentrations of MRP-8 and MRP-8/14 in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
- To determine if these proteins correlate with disease activity and relapse status in MS.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 28 patients with relapsing MS and 26 healthy controls.
- Concentrations of MRP-8 and MRP-8/14 were quantified using a commercially available sandwich ELISA.
- Statistical analysis was performed using the one-tailed Mann-Whitney U test.
Main Results:
- Median serum levels of MRP-8/14 were significantly elevated in MS patients compared to healthy controls (5150 ng/ml vs. 1482 ng/ml).
- MRP-8/14 levels were significantly higher in MS patients experiencing an acute relapse compared to those with stable disease (6690 ng/ml vs. 3050 ng/ml).
- No significant elevation in serum MRP-8 levels was observed in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum MRP-8/14 levels in MS patients suggest early macrophage activation during demyelination.
- Increased MRP-8/14 may serve as a valuable paraclinical marker for assessing disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is warranted to validate MRP-8/14 as a diagnostic or prognostic tool in MS management.
