Soluble and cell surface ICAM-1 as markers for disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a member of the Ig supergene family. ICAM-1 is expressed on various cells like peripheral blood lymphocytes, endothelial cells or thymic cells and the cell surface form is supposed to be shed into a soluble form. The expression of ICAM-1 is induced by cytokines like Interleukin-1, TNF alpha or interferon gamma. The aim of the study was to investigate whether changes of cell surface and soluble ICAM-1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood are indicative for disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
In all patients with relapsing-remitting MS (relapse: n=31, remission: n=11) and controls (n=13) the expression of cell surface ICAM-1 (c-ICAM-1) was determined by two colour flow cytometry. Soluble ICAM-1 (s-ICAM-1) was measured by ELISA. Follow-up examinations were done 3 months later.


RESULTS
In 31 patients with a current relapse we found significantly decreased expression levels of c-ICAM-1 on leukocytes in CSF (P<0.001) and blood (P<0.10), when compared to those 11 individuals experiencing remission. In contrast we observed significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of s-ICAM-1 in CSF of patients with relapses. Comparing patients who had been in remission for more than 4 weeks (n=11) with remission lasting longer than 3 months (n=28) we detected stable c-ICAM-1 expression on CD3+ T cells in blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate for the first time that c-ICAM-1 on CD3+ T-cells in CSF and blood is an activity marker in MS.
Kraus
J
J
Department of Neurology, University of Giessen, Germany.
Oschmann
P
P
Engelhardt
B
B
Schiel
C
C
Hornig
C
C
Bauer
R
R
Kern
A
A
Traupe
H
H
Dorndorf
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1