Pleiotrophin Serum Level is Increased in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Correlates With Sex, BMI and Treatment

Background. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease mainly affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). 80% of MS patients present the Relapsing-Remitting form (RRMS). Pleiotrophin (PTN), a cytokine previously associated with other autoimmune and neurological diseases, could play a role in the patho-physiology of RRMS due to its neuro and immunomodulatory effect. However, PTN has never been explored in RRMS patients. Aim of the study. To determine PTN serum levels in patients with RRMS, treated with Glatiramer acetate (GA) or Interferon-beta (IFN-beta), as well as in non-treated patients and healthy controls as a first attempt to explore PTN in RRMS. Methods. PTN serum levels were quantified by ELISA in 57 patients and 18 controls. Results. We demonstrated that PTN serum levels are significantly higher in RRMS patients. In IFN-beta treated patients alone, PTN correlated positively with time of disease evolution and time of IFN-beta use and correlated negatively with the MS severity score (MSSS). When comparing groups according to weight status, we observed that PTN is statistically increased in overweight female patients and that weight does not affect male patients. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was higher for males compared to females. Conclusion. PTN serum level is higher in RRMS patients and that is associ-ated with sex, BMI and IFN-beta treatment. Therefore, we propose that PTN could be playing a role in MS. Further studies must be performed to iden-tify the exact role of PTN in this pathology. (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of Pleiotrophin (PTN) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The results showed that PTN serum levels were significantly higher in RRMS patients compared to the healthy control group, and were associated with sex, body mass index (BMI), and IFN-beta treatment.