Quantitative MRI and CSF inflammatory mediators in a sample of brazilian multiple sclerosis population : a prospective study

Orientadores: Leonilda Maria Barbosa Santos, Benito Pereira DamascenoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: Esclerose múltipla é uma doença inflamatória crônica, desmielinizante e neurodegenerativa do sistema nervoso central (SNC) que apresenta intensa variabilidade clínica e prognóstico imprevisível. Este é um estudo prospectivo com o objetivo de investigar o perfil da resposta inflamatória e a neurodegeneração em uma amostra de pacientes brasileiros com esclerose múltipla, comparando marcadores no líquido cefalorraquiano (LCR) e na imagem por ressonância magnética (IRM) quantitativa. Um grupo de 54 pacientes com esclerose múltipla remitente-recorrente (EMRR) foi recrutado para este estudo, de acordo com os critérios diagnósticos de Poser. Os exames de IRM foram processados e as amostras de LCR coletadas durante o processo diagnóstico e após tratamento com imunomodulador (beta-interferona ou acetato de glatirâmer). IgG e albumina no LCR e soro foram analisadas pelo método da nefelometria e a pesquisa de bandas IgG oligoclonais (BO) pela focalização isoelétrica. Citocinas, anticorpos para o vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV) e proteínas Tau foram quantificados através de kits comerciais pelo método ELISA. Os exames de IRM foram realizados com a utilização de um programa semi-automático. Os resultados demonstraram que pacientes com EMRR, mesmo na fase de remissão, apresentam aumento na secreção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias no soro e LCR associados à síntese intratecal de IgG e ao aumento do número de leucócitos no LCR. Na IRM foram detectadas lesões desmielinizantes em 94.4% e a presença de bandas oligoclonais foi demonstrada em 83% dos pacientes. Durante a evolução da doença foi possível observar uma correlação positiva do índice IgG com o volume total de lesões na IRM e com o número de leucócitos no LCR. Os níveis de T-tau estavam elevados quando comparados com os indivíduos controle e atrofia cerebral foi observada desde o diagnóstico. A taxa anual de surtos e o nível de proteína T-tau no LCR foram reduzidos após o tratamento com imunomodulador, mas aumento da EDSS foi demonstrado em grande parte dos pacientes. Com base em todas as análises, nós podemos concluir que a avaliação da IRM quantitativa e dos biomarcadores de inflamação pode ser muito útil na monitorização dos pacientes com EM, mesmo nos períodos clinicamente estáveisAbstract: Quantitative MRI and CSF inflammatory mediators in a sample of brazilian multiple sclerosis population: a prospective study. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is referred to as a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), with a highly variable clinical course and prognosis. This is a prospective study to investigate the profile of inflammatory response and neurodegeneration in brazilian MS population by comparing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 54 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) were included in this study according to Poser criteria. MRIs were performed and CSF samples were collected both during the diagnostic process and after immunomodulator treatment (beta interferon and glatiramer acetate). IgG and albumin in the CSF and serum were measured by nephelometry and oligoclonal IgG bands were identified by isoelectrofocusing. Cytokines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies and Tau proteins were quantified using commercial kits by ELISA. Brain MRI examinations were performed using a semi-automated local lesion threshold technique. The results demonstrated that patients with RRMS in stable phase of the disease reveal increase in the secretion of pro-inflamatory cytokines in both serum and CSF associated with the intrathecal synthesis of IgG and the number of leucocytes in the CSF. Demyelinating brain lesions were detected by MRI in 94.4% and the presence of oligoclonal bands were observed in 83% of patients. During the evolution of the disease, it was possible to establish a positive correlation of IgG index with total lesion volume and total leukocytes count. Increased CSF T-tau levels were found in MS as compared to controls and brain atrophy was observed since the diagnosis of disease. The both annual relapse rate and the level T-tau protein were significantly reduced after the treatment with IFNß, although many of the patients had presented an increased at EDSS. Taken together, we provide evidence that the study of MRI and the inflammatory parameters is an useful tool for monitorizing MS patients even in the stable form of the diseaseUniversidade Estadual de CampiNeurologiaDoutor em Ciências Médica

Costimulatory Molecule Expression On Leukocytes From Mice With Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Treated With Ifn-beta.

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is of benefit in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), but the mechanisms by which it exerts this beneficial effect remain uncertain. The present data demonstrate that IFN-beta therapy impairs the proliferative response to concanavalin A (ConA) and myelin basic protein (MBP), decreases expression of the CD80 molecule on leukocytes of treated mice, and may thereby impede the Th1 cell activation-promoting anergy in EAE. Moreover, IFN-beta therapy increases expression of the CTLA4 molecule, which induces a counterregulatory Th2 response. The reduction of CD80 expression with concomitant increase of CTLA4 expression alters the course of EAE and may be useful as a monitor in therapy with IFN-beta.23293-

Decreased Neurofilament L Chain Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Tolerogenic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Natalizumab-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients – Brief Research Report

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Neurofilament Light (NfL) chain levels in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum have been correlated with the reduction of axonal damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with Natalizumab (NTZ). However, little is known about the function of plasmacytoid cells in NTZ-treated MS patients.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>To evaluate CSF NfL, serum levels of soluble-HLA-G (sHLA-G), and eventual tolerogenic behavior of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in MS patients during NTZ treatment.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>CSF NfL and serum sHLA-G levels were measured using an ELISA assay, while pDCs (BDCA-2<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>) were accessed through flow cytometry analyses.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>CSF levels of NfL were significantly reduced during NTZ treatment, while the serum levels of sHLA-G were increased. Moreover, NTZ treatment enhanced tolerogenic (HLA-G<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>, CD274<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>, and HLA-DR<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>) molecules and migratory (CCR7<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>) functions of pDCs in the peripheral blood.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>These findings suggest that NTZ stimulates the production of molecules with immunoregulatory function such as HLA-G and CD274 programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) which may contribute to the reduction of axonal damage represented by the decrease of NfL levels in patients with MS.</jats:p></jats:sec&gt