S. Fredrikson

Interleukin-17 mRNA expression in blood and CSF mononuclear cells is augmented in multiple sclerosis

Myelin-directed autoimmunity is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Increased production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is a common finding in MS. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a recently described cytokine produced in humans almost exclusively by activated memory T cells, which can induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from parenchymal cells and macrophages. In situ hybridisation with synthetic oligonucleotide probes was adopted to detect and enumerate IL-17 mRNA expressing mononuclear cells (MNC) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with MS and control individuals. Numbers of IL-17 mRNA expressing blood MNC were higher in patients with MS and acute aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM) compared to healthy individuals. Higher numbers of IL-17 mRNA expressing blood MNC were detected in MS patients examined during clinical exacerbation compared to remission. Patients with MS had higher numbers of IL-17 mRNA expressing MNC in CSF compared to blood. This increase in numbers of IL-17 mRNA expressing MNC in CSF was not observed in patients with AM. Our results thus demonstrate increased numbers of IL-17 mRNA expressing MNC in MS with higher numbers in CSF than blood, and with the highest numbers in blood during clinical exacerbations.

Cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a consensus report.

The Committee of the European Concerted Action for Multiple Sclerosis (Charcot Foundation) organised five workshops to discuss CSF analytical standards in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. This consensus report from 12 European countries summarises the results of those workshops. It is hoped that neurologists will confer with their colleagues in clinical chemistry to arrange the best possible local practice. The most sensitive method for the detection of oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands is isoelectric focusing. The same amounts of IgG in parallel CSF and serum samples are used and oligoclonal bands are revealed with IgG specific antibody staining. All laboratories performing isoelectric focusing should check their technique at least annually using “blind” standards for the five different CSF and serum patterns. Quantitative measurements of IgG production in the CNS are less sensitive than isoelectric focusing. The preferred method for detection of blood-CSF barrier dysfunction is the albumin quotient. The CSF albumin or total protein concentrations are less satisfactory. These results must be interpreted with reference to the age of the patient and the local method of determination. Cells should be counted. The normal value is no more than 4 cells/microliters. Among evolving optional tests, measurement of the combined local synthesis of antibodies against measles, rubella, and/or varicella zoster could represent a significant advance if it offers higher specificity (not sensitivity) for identifying chronic rather than acute inflammation. Other tests that may have useful correlations with clinical indices include those for oligoclonal free light chains, IgM, IgA, or myelin basic protein concentrations.

Costs and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis in Europe

Objective: To assess overall resource consumption, work capacity and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis in nine European countries. Methods: Information on resource consumption related to multiple sclerosis, informal care by relatives, productivity losses and overall quality of life (utility) was collected with a standardised pre-tested questionnaire from 13 186 patients enrolled in national multiple sclerosis societies or followed up in neurology clinics. Information on disease included disease duration, self-assessed disease severity and relapses. Mean annual costs per patient (€, 2005) were estimated from the societal perspective. Results: The mean age ranged from 45.1 to 53.4 years, and all levels of disease severity were represented. Between 16% and 29% of patients reported experiencing a relapse in the 3 months preceding data collection. The proportion of patients in early retirement because of multiple sclerosis ranged from 33% to 45%. The use of direct medical resources (eg, hospitalisation, consultations and drugs) varied considerably across countries, whereas the use of non-medical resources (eg, walking sticks, wheel chairs, modifications to house and car) and services (eg, home care and transportation) was comparable. Informal care use was highly correlated with disease severity, but was further influenced by healthcare systems and family structure. All types of costs increased with worsening disease. The total mean annual costs per patient (adjusted for gross domestic product purchasing power) were estimated at €18 000 for mild disease (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) <4.0), €36 500 for moderate disease (EDSS 4.0–6.5) and €62 000 for severe disease (EDSS >7.0). Utility was similar across countries at around 0.70 for a patient with an EDSS of 2.0 and around 0.45 for a patient with an EDSS of 6.5. Intangible costs were estimated at around €13 000 per patient.

Recommendations for a Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS)

Background: Cognitive impairment in MS impacts negatively on many patients at all disease stages and in all subtypes. Full clinical cognitive assessment is expensive, requiring expert staff and special equipment. Test versions and normative data are not available for all languages and cultures. Objective: To recommend a brief cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that is optimized for small centers, with one or few staff members, who may not have neuropsychological training and constructed to maximize international use. Methods: An expert committee of twelve members representing the main cultural groups that have so far contributed considerable data about MS cognitive dysfunction was convened. Following exhaustive literature review, peer-reviewed articles were selected to cover a broad spectrum of cultures and scales that targeted cognitive domains vulnerable to MS. Each was rated by two committee members and candidates scales were rated on psychometric qualities (reliability, validity, and sensitivity), international application, ease of administration, feasibility in the specified context, and acceptability to patients. Results: The committee recommended the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, if only 5 minutes was available, with the addition of the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised learning trials if a further 10 minutes could be allocated for testing. Conclusions: A brief cognitive assessment for MS has been recommended. A validation protocol has been prepared for language groups and validation studies have commenced.

Costs, quality of life and disease severity in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study in Sweden

This study assessed the cost to society of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Sweden in 1998. The cost‐of‐illness method, based on the human capital theory, was used as the theoretical framework. The study used a cross‐sectional approach, in which resource utilization data and quality‐of‐life data (utilities) were collected at a single time point. The total cost of MS was estimated at 4868 MSEK, or 586 MEUR, giving an annual cost of 442 500 SEK, or 53 250 EUR, per patient (1USD = 9.73 SEK, 1 EUR = 8.31 SEK, as of 21 September 2000). Direct costs accounted for about 67% of total cost, and they were dominated by the cost of personal assistants and drugs. Indirect costs (loss of production) accounted for about 33% of total costs. To these economic costs, intangible costs of 2702 MSEK (325 MEUR) should be added as well. Direct, indirect and informal care costs all rose significantly with increased disability and were higher during a relapse. Quality of life declined substantially with increased disability and was lower during a relapse. Multiple sclerosis was found to be associated with much higher costs to society than has been ascertained by former studies. The study also revealed a strong correlation between severity of the disease and quality of life. These results are crucial for further studies on the cost‐effectiveness of new treatments aimed at preventing relapses and reducing progression of the disease.

Absence of seven human herpesviruses, including HHV-6, by polymerase chain reaction in CSF and blood from patients with multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis

Several members of the herpesvirus family have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, HHV‐6 viral antigen has been demonstrated in association to MS plaques, as well as DNA from human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) in cerebrospinal fluid from a few MS patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the present study, CSF from patients with MS, optic neuritis and other neurological diseases, as well as consecutive CSF and serum samples from MS patients included in a clinical trial with acyclovir, were analysed by nested PCR for the presence of DNA from herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, Epstein‐Barr virus, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 and 7. No virus DNA was found in any CSF (n= 115) or serum (n= 116) sample. These findings argue against a continuous disseminated herpesvirus infection in MS, but do not rule out a lesion‐associated, low‐grade herpesvirus infection within the MS brain.

Multiple sclerosis: pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases are affected differentially by treatment with IFN-beta.

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) has a beneficial influence on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has become standard treatment of this disease, though its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. This study examines the effect of IFN-beta treatment on the cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-10; the metalloproteinases MMP-3, -7 and -9 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). IFN-beta treatment resulted in decreased numbers of mononuclear cells (MNC) secreting IL-6 and TNF-alpha and expressing mRNA of MMP-3 and MMP-9 compared to pretreatment levels. On the contrary, numbers of IL-10 secreting MNC and TIMP-1 mRNA expressing were augmented during IFN-beta therapy. Whether the down-regulatory effects on pro-inflammatory and upregulatory effects on anti-inflammatory molecules are a direct result of IFN-beta on the immune system or secondary to clinical stabilization of MS pathology induced by IFN-beta remains to be evaluated.

Multiple sclerosis is associated with high levels of circulating dendritic cells secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines

Recent evidence emphasises a pivotal role for dendritic cells (DC) in the control of immunity by priming and tolerising T cells. DC capture and process antigens, express co-stimulatory molecules, migrate to lymphoid organs and secrete cytokines to initiate immune responses. In multiple sclerosis (MS), autoreactive T cells are proposed to play a pathogenic role by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines, but studies on DC are lacking. To evaluate the involvement of DC in patients with MS, a modified procedure was used to prepare DC from blood of patients with MS and healthy subjects. DC were found to be potent stimulators of T cells in allogeneic and, to a lesser extent, in autologous mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays were adopted to determine levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 secreting DC vs. mononuclear cells (MNC). Proportionally more DC than MNC secreted IFN-gamma and IL-10 in both MS and healthy subjects. Patients with MS had higher levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-6 secreting DC than healthy subjects. The differences for IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secreting cells were confined to the subgroup of untreated MS patients and not observed in the subgroup examined during ongoing treatment with IFN-beta. Circulating DC secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines may represent another focus for the study of both immuno-pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions in MS.

Selective decline in information processing in subgroups of multiple sclerosis: an 8-year longitudinal study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that causes white matter and cortical lesions over many years. The CNS is selectively affected by the disease with a great variety of symptoms between patients. In this study, we describe the impact on various aspects of cognition over an 8-year follow-up period in 31 consecutive MS patients subgrouped as relapsing remitting (RR) MS, secondary progressive (SP) MS, and primary progressive (PP) MS. Results showed a differential pattern of cognitive decline already at baseline in speed of information processing. During the follow-up, a pronounced decline occurred in speed of information processing, finger-motor speed, copying geometrical designs, episodic memory, and visuospatial short-term memory. A striking difference was observed between a marked decline in visual reaction time, whereas no significant change was seen in auditory reaction time. In contrast, there was no time-related decline in verbal abilities. However, an initial marked cognitive impairment predicted further cognitive decline over the 8-year follow-up. Information-processing tests were found to be an especially strong predictor of long-term cognitive decline. In addition, high EDSS score at follow-up was associated with decline in information processes. Results also showed that SP-MS patients deteriorated significantly more than the other two groups, particularly in visual compared to auditory information processing. To conclude, cognitive decline appeared particularly in SP-MS patients and in visual information processing.

The utility of cerebrospinal fluid analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires the exclusion of other possible diagnoses. For this reason, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) should be routinely analysed in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of MS. CSF analysis is no longer mandatory for diagnosis of relapsing–remitting MS, as long as MRI diagnostic criteria are fulfilled. However, caution is required in diagnosing MS in patients with negative MRI findings or in the absence of CSF analysis, as CSF investigation is useful to eliminate other causes of disease. The detection of oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF has potential prognostic value and is helpful for clinical decision-making. In addition, CSF analysis is important for research into the pathogenesis of MS. Pathophysiological and neurodegenerative findings of inflammation in MS have been derived from CSF investigations. Novel CSF biomarkers, though not yet validated, have been identified for diagnosis of MS and for ascertaining disease activity, prognosis and response to treatment, and are likely to increase in number with modern detection techniques. In this Review, we summarize CSF findings that shed light on the differential diagnosis of MS, and highlight the potential of novel biomarkers for this disease that could advance understanding of its pathophysiology.