Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The need for reliable markers of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) to better guide basic research, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of therapy is well-recognized. A recent European Charcot Foundation Symposium (Body fluid markers for course and activity of disease in multiple sclerosis (Madrid, Spain, October 2-4, 1997) organized by the European Charcot Foundation and the Fundación Española de Esclerosis Múltiple (the Spanish Multiple Sclerosis Foundation) brought together experts in the field to review the state of the art for the technology measuring markers in body fluids. An array of different approaches was presented to measure a wide diversity of classic and novel marker molecules, including cytokines, adhesion molecules, myelin compounds, and free antibody light chains, in either blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. Here, recent progress in these approaches is assessed in the context of distinct pathophysiological stages of the disease, the requirements which such molecules and assays should ideally meet, and the practical and conceptual challenges which they face. Recommendations for further improvements are described.

Keywords

antibody CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)nitric oxide serum T cells urine

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Miller DH et al. (1996) Guidelines for the use of magnetic resonance imaging techniques in monitoring of the treatment of multiple sclerosis . Ann Neurol 39: 6-16 .

Brück W et al. (1997) Inflammatory central nervous system demyelination: correlation of magnetic resonance imaging findings with lesion pathology . Ann Neurol 42: 783-789 .

Rudick R et al. (1997) Recommendations from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society clinical outcomes assessment task force . Ann Neurol 42: 379-382 .

Luchinetti CF , Brück W , Rogriguez M , Lassmann H. (1996) Distinct patterns of multiple sclerosis pathology indicates heterogeneity in pathogenesis . Brain Pathol 6: 259-274 .

Brück W et al. (1995) Monocyte/macrophage differentiation in early multiple sclerosis lesions . Ann Neurol 38: 788-796 .

Jongen P et al. (1997) Cerebrospinal fluid analysis differentiates between relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis . J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 63: 446-451 .

Braune H-J , Huffman G. (1992) A prospective double-blind clinical trial, comparing the sharp Quincke needle (22G) with an `atraumatic' needle (22G) in the induction of post-lumbar puncture headache . Acta Neurol Scand 86: 50-54 .

Lynch J et al. (1991) Use of a 25-gauge Whit acre needle to reduce the incidence of postdural puncture headache . Br J Anaesth 67: 690-693 .

Lamers KJ et al. (1995) Cerebrospinal fluid free kappa light chains versus IgG findings in neurological disorders: qualitative and quantitative measurements . J Neuroimmunol 62: 19-25 .

10.

Rieckmann P et al. (1997) Soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1 and slCAM-1) in cerebrospinal fluid and serum correlate with MRI activity in multiple sclerosis . Ann Neurol 41: 326-333 .

11.

Giovannoni G et al. (1997) Longitudinal study of soluble adhesion molecules in multiple sclerosis: correlation with gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging . Neurol 48: 1557-1565 .

12.

Archelos JJ , Hartung H-P. (1997) The role of adhesion molecules in multiple sclerosis: biology, pathogenesis and therapeutic implications . Mol Med Today 3: 310-321 .

13.

Martino G et al. (1997) Interferon gamma-induced increases in intracellular calcium in T lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis precede clinical exacerbations and detection of active lesions on MRI . JNeurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 63: 339-345 .

14.

Giovannoni G et al. (1997) Daily urinary neopterin excretion as an immunological marker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis . Brain 120: 1-13 .

15.

Leppert D et al. (1996) Interferon beta-1b inhibits gelatinase secretion and in vitro migration of human T cells: a possible mechanism for treatment efficacy in multiple sclerosis . Ann Neurol 40: 846-852 .

16.

Leppert D et al. Matrix metalloprotease-9 (gelatinase B) is selectively elevated in CSF during relapses and stable phases of MS. Submitted.

17.

Whitaker JN et al. (1994) Correlation of clinical features and findings on cranial magnetic resonance imaging with urinary myelin basic protein-like material in patients with multiple sclerosis . Ann Neurol 35: 577-585 .

18.

Whitaker JN et al. (1995) Urinary myelin basic protein-like material as a correlate of the progression of multiple sclerosis . Ann Neurol 38: 625-632 .

19.

Giovannoni G et al. (1997) Raised serum nitrate and nitrite levels in patients with multiple sclerosis . JNeurol Sci 145: 77-81 .

20.

Lankhorst GJ et al. (1996) Quality of life in multiple sclerosis: the disability and impact profile (DIP) . JNeurol 243: 469-474 .

21.

Laman H , Lankhorst G. (1994) Subjective weighting of disability: an approach to quality of life assessment in rehabilitation . Disab Rehabil 6: 198-204 .

Body fluid markers to monitor multiple sclerosis: the assays and the challenges

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References