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Cerebrospinal Fluid BAFF and APRIL Levels in Neuromyelitis Optica and Multiple Sclerosis Patients During Relapse

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Abstract

Background

BAFF (B-cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are two of the major survival factors for B cells. Many studies have shown that BAFF levels were elevated in MS patients. However, whether the levels of CSF BAFF/APRIL increased in NMO patients was still unclear.

Objective

To measure the CSF BAFF and APRIL concentration of in NMO patients, and explore their relationship with disease activity in NMO.

Methods

CSF BAFF and APRIL was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in NMO (n = 22), MS (n = 18) patients and controls (n = 14).

Results

Concentration of BAFF and APRIL in NMO patients were significantly higher than MS and controls. CSF BAFF and APRIL levels in controls were also lower than MS. Both NMO and MS revealed an increased disease disability with increased CSF BAFF. CSF APRIL was associated with EDSS scores in NMO, but not found in MS.

Conclusions

BAFF/APRIL system considered important for aggressive B cells and T-cell responses, and may stimulates B cells and T cell activation in acute relapse of NMO and MS. In NMO patients, CSF BAFF and APRIL may be key factors of B cell immune response and reflect disease severity.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no.81171126).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Honghao Wang & Kai Wang

  2. MS Clinical Research Center, Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Xiaonan Zhong, Wei Qiu, Yongqiang Dai, Aimin Wu & Xueqiang Hu

Authors
  1. Honghao Wang
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  2. Kai Wang
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  3. Xiaonan Zhong
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  4. Wei Qiu
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  5. Yongqiang Dai
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  6. Aimin Wu
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  7. Xueqiang Hu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xueqiang Hu.

Additional information

Honghao Wang, Kai Wang, Xiaonan Zhong and Wei Qiu contributed equally to the manuscript.

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Wang, H., Wang, K., Zhong, X. et al. Cerebrospinal Fluid BAFF and APRIL Levels in Neuromyelitis Optica and Multiple Sclerosis Patients During Relapse. J Clin Immunol 32, 1007–1011 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-012-9709-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-012-9709-9

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