Increased plasma levels of mitochondrial DNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Jan 15:338:577107. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577107. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Abstract

The role of damage-associated molecular patterns in multiple sclerosis (MS) is under investigation. Here, we studied the contribution of circulating high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to neuroinflammation in progressive MS. We measured plasmatic mtDNA, HMGB1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in 38 secondary progressive (SP) patients, 35 primary progressive (PP) patients and 42 controls. Free mtDNA was higher in SP than PP. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were increased in progressive patients. In PP, tumor necrosis factor-α correlated with MS Severity Score. Thus, in progressive patients, plasmatic mtDNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines likely contribute to the systemic inflammatory status.

Keywords: Damage-associated molecular patterns; High mobility group box protein 1; Mitochondrial DNA; Pro-inflammatory cytokines; Progressive multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / blood*
  • Female
  • HMGB1 Protein / blood
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / etiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Interleukin-8
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha