Protein biomarkers in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

This review aimed to elucidate protein biomarkers in body fluids, such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), to identify those that may be used for early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), prediction of disease activity, and monitoring of treatment response among MS patients. The potential biomarkers elucidated in this review include neurofilament proteins (NFs), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), leptin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13), and osteopontin (OPN), with each biomarker playing a different role in MS. GFAP, leptin, and CHI3L1 levels were increased in MS patient groups compared to the control group. NFs are the most studied proteins in the MS field, and significant correlations with disease activity, future progression, and treatment outcomes are evident. GFAP CSF level shows a different pattern by MS subtype. Increased concentration of CHI3L1 in the blood/CSF of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is an independent predictive factor of conversion to definite MS. BDNF may be affected by chronic progression of MS. CHI3L1 has potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis of MS and prediction of disability progression, while CXCL13 has potential as a biomarker of prognosis of CIS and reflects MS disease activity. OPN was an indicator of disease severity. A periodic detailed patient evaluation should be performed for MS patients, and broadly and easily accessible biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity in clinical settings should be identified.