Increased axonal expression of nectin-1 in multiple sclerosis plaques

Neurol Sci. 2013 Apr;34(4):465-9. doi: 10.1007/s10072-012-1026-9. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

Nectin-1 is a cell adhesion molecule that plays a role in interneuronal synapse formation, in axonal guidance during development and possibly in neuron-glia interactions. To better understand axonal changes in MS, nectin-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in normal adult human cerebral white matter (n = 4) and in six MS plaques (three active and three inactive). The intensity of axonal nectin-1 expression was scored on a scale of 0 to 4+. In normal adult cerebral white matter, axons showed weak nectin-1 expression with a score of 1.25 ± 0.50. Axonal nectin-1 expression was significantly stronger within both active (score = 3.33 ± 0.289, p = 0.001) and inactive (score = 2.16 ± 0.29, p = 0.038) MS plaques than in normal white matter. Axons in white matter adjacent to MS plaques showed nectin-1 expression (score = 1.5 ± 0.50) that was not statistically different from normal controls (p = 0.542). These findings raise the possibility that increased expression of nectin-1 in MS lesions plays a role in the pathogenesis of MS through participation in axonal responses to injury and mediation of altered neuron-glia interactions relevant to myelination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Nectins
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology*
  • Up-Regulation / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CD68 antigen, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • NECTIN1 protein, human
  • Nectins
  • Neurofilament Proteins