Estimation of Serum Interleukin- 12 (IL-12), Interleukin-17(IL-17) and Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (s-VCAM) in Multiple Sclerosis | ||||
Bulletin of Egyptian Society for Physiological Sciences | ||||
Article 11, Volume 27, Issue 1, June 2007, Page 151-170 PDF (276.67 K) | ||||
Document Type: Original Article | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/besps.2007.37129 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Omayma EL Kholy* 1; Amira Hassouna1; Ibtesam Fahmy2; Reda Saad3; Radwa Taha1 | ||||
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University | ||||
2Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University | ||||
3Department of Radiology Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, and our understanding of the disease initiation mechanism and its wide clinical variability is limited. Cytokines and leukocyte endothelial adhesion play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of the inflammatory reaction in multiple sclerosis. The present study aimed to estimate the serum levels of IL-12 and IL-17 (cytokines) and sVCAM (an adhesion molecule) in different MS subtypes and to assess their relationship to disease activity, disability and MRI findings of cerebral atrophy. We analyzed serum levels of interleukins 12 and 17 (IL-12 and IL-17) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) in 53 patients; 20 relapsing-remitting in remission (RRMS in remission), 16 relapsing-remitting in relapse (RRMS in relapse), and 17 secondary progressive (SPMS) and 15 healthy age and sex matched controls. For each patient the following were performed: clinical evaluation assessment of disability using Expanded Disability Status Scale Score (EDSS) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment to detect the presence of cerebral atrophy and the extent of lesion load. Results:The mean serum levels of each of studied biomarkers IL-12, IL-17 and sVCAM were elevated in all MS groups compared to the control group. Significantlyhigher levels were detected in SPMS versus RRMS groups (whether in relapse or RRMS in remission) and were significantly higher in RRMS in relapse versus RRMS in remission. The three biomarkers were significantly correlated to each other. EDSS score showed significantly higher levels in SPMS compared to both RRMS whether in relapse or remission. However no significant difference was detected between RR in relapse and in remission. EDSS correlated significantly with IL-12 and correlated weakly with each of IL-17 and sVCAM. Patients with MRI signs of cerebral atrophy showed significant higher levels of EDSS score and serum IL-12, IL-17 and sVCAM levels versus patients without cerebral atrophy. A significant correlation was found between the presence of cerebral atrophy and the EDSS score. However, no significant correlations could be detected between cerebral atrophy and the biomarkers; IL- 12, IL-17 and sVCAM. Conclusion:Serum levels of IL-12, IL-17 and sVCAM are elevated in remission-relapse and progressive subtypes of MS and in MS associated with brain atrophy denoting that the inflammatory status in MS tends to persist in early and advanced stages of the disease. Immunomodulatory therapy targeting the above parameters might seem to be beneficial to delay disease progression and/or reduces lesion activity. Except for IL-12 a rather weakrelationship exists between the above-mentioned markers and the degree of disability induced by MS, thus excluding their utility as reliable markers of disability. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
Multiple sclerosis; interleukin -12; interleukin -17; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule; cerebral atrophy | ||||
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