title: Vascular endothelial growth factor-A and chemokine ligand (CCL2) genes are upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Indian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have earlier shown that protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and chemokine ligand-2 (CCL2) were elevated in Indian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Here, we report the mRNA levels of VEGF-A and CCL2 in Indian ALS patients since they display extended survival after disease onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  VEGF-A and CCL2 mRNA levels were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 50 sporadic Indian ALS patients using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and compared with normal controls (n = 50). Their levels were adjusted for possible confounders like cigarette smoking, alcohol and meat consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF-A and CCL2 mRNA levels were found to be significantly elevated in PBMCs in ALS patients as compared to controls. PBMCs from definite ALS revealed higher VEGF-A mRNA expression as compared to probable and possible ALS. CCL2 mRNA levels were found to be unaltered when definite, probable and possible ALS were compared. PBMCs from patients with respiratory dysfunction showed much higher VEGF-A and CCL2 elevation when compared to patients without respiratory dysfunction. No association of smoking, alcohol and meat consumption with VEGF-A and CCL2 was observed after analyzing the data with univariate and multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF-A and CCL2 mRNA upregulation in PBMCs may have a clinico-pathological/etiological/epidemiological association with ALS pathogenesis. The cross-cultural and cross-ethnic investigations of these molecules could determine if they have any role in enhancing the mean survival time unique to Indian ALS patients.
authors: Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
authors: Pawan K
authors: PK
authors: Gupta
authors: Sudesh
authors: S
authors: Prabhakar
authors: Chandrika
authors: C
authors: Abburi
authors: Neel K
authors: NK
authors: Sharma
authors: Akshay
authors: A
authors: Anand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A