Soluble and cell surface ICAM-1 as markers for disease activity in multiple sclerosis
J Kraus1, P Oschmann, B Engelhardt
1Department of Neurology, University of Giessen, Germany.
Insights
Cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on T-cells in cerebrospinal fluid and blood indicates disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Decreased cell surface ICAM-1 and increased soluble ICAM-1 in CSF correlate with MS relapses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an Ig supergene family member expressed on various cells.
- ICAM-1 expression is induced by cytokines and can be shed into a soluble form.
- Investigating ICAM-1 in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for understanding disease activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cell surface and soluble ICAM-1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood indicate disease activity in MS patients.
- To correlate ICAM-1 expression with relapse and remission phases of MS.
Main Methods:
- Two-color flow cytometry was used to measure cell surface ICAM-1 (c-ICAM-1) on leukocytes.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured soluble ICAM-1 (s-ICAM-1).
- Patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n=31 relapse, n=11 remission) and controls (n=13) were studied, with follow-up at 3 months.
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased c-ICAM-1 expression on leukocytes in CSF (P<0.001) and blood (P<0.10) during MS relapses compared to remission.
- Significantly increased s-ICAM-1 levels in CSF of MS patients with relapses (P<0.05).
- Stable c-ICAM-1 expression on CD3+ T-cells in blood was observed between different remission durations.
Conclusions:
- Cell surface ICAM-1 on CD3+ T-cells in CSF and blood serves as an activity marker in MS.
- These findings provide novel insights into the role of ICAM-1 in MS pathogenesis and activity monitoring.
Objective:
The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a member of the Ig supergene family. ICAM-1 is expressed on various cells like peripheral blood lymphocytes, endothelial cells or thymic cells and the cell surface form is supposed to be shed into a soluble form. The expression of ICAM-1 is induced by cytokines like Interleukin-1, TNF alpha or interferon gamma. The aim of the study was to investigate whether changes of cell surface and soluble ICAM-1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood are indicative for disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Material And Methods:
In all patients with relapsing-remitting MS (relapse: n=31, remission: n=11) and controls (n=13) the expression of cell surface ICAM-1 (c-ICAM-1) was determined by two colour flow cytometry. Soluble ICAM-1 (s-ICAM-1) was measured by ELISA. Follow-up examinations were done 3 months later.
Results:
In 31 patients with a current relapse we found significantly decreased expression levels of c-ICAM-1 on leukocytes in CSF (P<0.001) and blood (P<0.10), when compared to those 11 individuals experiencing remission. In contrast we observed significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of s-ICAM-1 in CSF of patients with relapses. Comparing patients who had been in remission for more than 4 weeks (n=11) with remission lasting longer than 3 months (n=28) we detected stable c-ICAM-1 expression on CD3+ T cells in blood.
Conclusion:
Our results demonstrate for the first time that c-ICAM-1 on CD3+ T-cells in CSF and blood is an activity marker in MS.
