Relationship of microglia-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines to clinical and radiological parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis - a single-centre study in a Polish population

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a chronic course. Available data point to an autoimmune basis for MS. It is currently suggested that microglia-associated cytokines have a role that is especially relevant. Study objective: To determine the association between microglia cytokines: C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/ Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (CCL2/MCP-1), Interferon gamma (IFN-ɣ), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and clinical and radiological parameters of MS patients. Material and methods The study involved 96 patients with MS diagnosed according to the 2017 McDonald’s criteria. The control group consisted of 73 healthy participants. Patients in the study group negated other immunological conditions. Results CCL2/MCP-1 levels were significantly increased in the study group. CCL/2MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in the other MS group compared to Relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). A significant positive correlation was identified between CCL2 (MCP-1) and disease duration. IFN-g levels were significantly higher in the control group. IFN-g concentrations exhibited a trend toward higher levels in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 4 score group. Significantly higher IFN-g levels were found in patients without active lesions on Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). IL-18 levels were significantly increased in patients with no or single T2-weighted lesions. Conclusions The inverse correlation between IL-18 levels and MRI lesions suggests that this cytokine may serve as a predictive marker for monitoring the course of MS. IFN-g is a cytokine with an important role in the development of inflammation in MS. Higher plasma levels of CCL2 (MCP-1) with disease duration suggest progressive immune activation.