Identifying putative cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a north Indian population

Muscle Nerve. 2020 Oct;62(4):528-533. doi: 10.1002/mus.27026. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-based information about cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of biomarkers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is limited.

Methods: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), optineurin (OPTN), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), angiogenin (ANG), and TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay in the CSF of 54 patients with sporadic ALS and 32 controls in a case-control study design.

Results: CSF levels of VEGF (P = .014) and ANG (P = .009) were decreased, whereas VEGFR2 was higher (P = .002) in patients with ALS than in controls. TDP-43 positively correlated with MCP-1 (P = .003), VEGF (P < .001), and VEGFR2 (P < .001) in patients with ALS.

Discussion: Our findings suggest possible utility of VEGF, VEGFR2, and ANG as biomarkers for use in ALS treatment trials.

Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, angiogenesis, cerebrospinal fluid, muscle wasting, neuromuscular disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Chemokine CCL2 / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • CCL2 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • OPTN protein, human
  • TARDBP protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
  • angiogenin
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic