Immune profiling in multiple sclerosis: a single-center study of 65 cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in cerebrospinal fluid and serum

Klaus Berek; Angelika Bauer; Dagmar Rudzki; Michael Auer; Robert Barket; Anne Zinganell; Magdalena Lerch; Livia Hofer; Astrid Grams; Paulina Poskaite; Sebastian Wurth; Thomas Berger; Franziska Di Pauli; Florian Deisenhammer; Harald Hegen; Markus Reindl

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200146

Immune profiling in multiple sclerosis: a single-center study of 65 cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in cerebrospinal fluid and serum

Front Immunol. 2023 Jun 13:14:1200146. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200146. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Klaus Berek¹, Angelika Bauer^{1

2}, Dagmar Rudzki^{1

2}, Michael Auer¹, Robert Barket¹, Anne Zinganell¹, Magdalena Lerch¹, Livia Hofer¹, Astrid Grams³, Paulina Poskaite³, Sebastian Wurth⁴, Thomas Berger^{5

6}, Franziska Di Pauli¹, Florian Deisenhammer¹, Harald Hegen¹, Markus Reindl¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
² VASCage Research Centre on Vascular Ageing and Stroke, Innsbruck, Austria.
³ Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
⁶ Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Abstract

Introduction: The understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved alongside the characterization of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. However, the complex interplay of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in different body fluids in people with MS (pwMS) and their association with disease progression is still not well understood and needs further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to profile a total of 65 cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in paired serum and CSF samples of pwMS at disease onset.

Methods: Multiplex bead-based assays were performed and baseline routine laboratory diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical characteristics were assessed. Of 44 participants included, 40 had a relapsing-remitting disease course and four a primary progressive MS.

Results: There were 29 cytokines and chemokines that were significantly higher in CSF and 15 in serum. Statistically significant associations with moderate effect sizes were found for 34 of 65 analytes with sex, age, CSF, and MRI parameters and disease progression.

Discussion: In conclusion, this study provides data on the distribution of 65 different cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in CSF and serum in newly diagnosed pwMS.

Keywords: biomarker; chemokine; cytokine; multiple sclerosis; prognosis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Body Fluids*
Chemokines
Cytokines
Disease Progression
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis*
Pokeweed Mitogens

Substances

Cytokines
Chemokines
Pokeweed Mitogens

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the research grant “Clinical, MRI and biomarkers of multiple sclerosis; Clinical, morphologic and biochemical markers at different stages of multiple sclerosis and their dynamics over time” from the Austrian Multiple Sclerosis Research Society.