CSF Levels of CXCL12 and Osteopontin as Early Markers of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the extent of intrathecal inflammation in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) at the time of diagnosis and to define markers and a specific inflammatory profile capable of distinguishing progressive from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

METHODS:

Levels of 34 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the CSF were evaluated at the diagnosis in 16 patients with PPMS and 80 with RRMS. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, including Expanded Disability Status Scale assessment and a 3T brain MRI to detect white matter and cortical lesion number and volume and global and regional cortical thickness.

RESULTS:

Higher levels of CXCL12 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97, 95% CI [1.34-11.7]) and the monocyte-related osteopontin (OR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.01-4.99]) were detected in patients with PPMS, whereas levels of interleukin-10 (IL10) (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.09-0.96]) were significantly increased in those with RRMS. High CXCL12 levels were detected in patients with increased gray matter lesion number and volume (p = 0.001, r = 0.832 and r = 0.821, respectively). Pathway analysis confirmed the chronic inflammatory processes occurring in PPMS.

CONCLUSIONS:

At the time of diagnosis, a specific CSF protein profile can recognize the presence of early intrathecal inflammatory processes, possibly stratifying PPMS with respect to RRMS. Elevated CSF levels of CXCL12 and osteopontin suggested a key role of brain innate immunity and glia activity in MS. These molecules could represent useful candidate markers of MS progression, with implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of progressive MS.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE:

This study provides Class III evidence that CXCL12 and monocyte-related osteopontin may be correlated with PPMS, and IL-10 may be related to RRMS. It is may be correlated due to Bonferroni correction negating the statistical correlations found in the study.

• Authors: Damiano Marastoni, Roberta Magliozzi, Anna Bolzan, Anna Isabella Pisani, Stefania Rossi, Francesco Crescenzo, Stefania Montemezzi, Francesca Benedetta Pizzini, Massimiliano Calabrese
• Journal: Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation (Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm) Vol. 8 Issue 6 (11 2021) ISSN: 2332-7812 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34588298 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• CXCL12 protein, human
• Chemokine CXCL12
• SPP1 protein, human
• Osteopontin

Topics

• Adult
• Biomarkers (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Chemokine CXCL12 (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Early Diagnosis
• Female
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, pathology, physiopathology)
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, pathology, physiopathology)
• Osteopontin (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Young Adult