Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in multiple sclerosis: a potential marker of disease severity.
OBJECTIVE
To compare serum levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy control subjects, and to investigate whether serum sRAGE levels correlate with MS disease severity as indicated by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).


METHODS
37 patients with clinical diagnosis of MS and 22 healthy control subjects were investigated in a cross-sectional study using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).


RESULTS
Serum levels of sRAGE were found to be significantly lower in MS patients compared to levels in healthy controls (p = 0.005). A trend toward lower levels of serum sRAGE was observed in female MS patients compared to their male counterparts (p = 0.05). A relationship between sRAGE and EDSS, and sRAGE and rate of clinical relapse was observed (p = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
The significant reduction of sRAGE in MS patients relative to healthy controls supports the potential role for RAGE axis in MS clinical pathology. Lower levels of sRAGE may be associated with enhanced inflammatory responses. Based on these observations, further investigations into the role of sRAGE in MS clinical pathology is warranted.
Sternberg
Z
Z
Department of Neurology, Baird MS Center, Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. zs2@buffalo.edu
Weinstock-Guttman
B
B
Hojnacki
D
D
Zamboni
P
P
Zivadinov
R
R
Chadha
K
K
Lieberman
A
A
Kazim
L
L
Drake
A
A
Rocco
P
P
Grazioli
E
E
Munschauer
F
F
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012995:Solubility
D015415:Biomarkers; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic