title: TRAF2 is upregulated in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor signal transduction in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the gene expression of TRAF2 (TNF receptor-associated factor 2) and RIP (receptor-interacting protein) in peripheral blood leukocytes of 23 relapsing-remitting (RR), 19 secondary progressive (SP) and 12 primary progressive (PP) MS patients as well as of 29 healthy controls by quantitative RT-PCR. Additionally, we monitored a subgroup of 15 RRMS patients longitudinally every 3 months over a 9-month time period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TRAF2 expression was significantly elevated in RRMS patients compared to the other disease courses (p<0.005, respectively) and the control group (p<0.009). RIP expression was significantly elevated in the patient groups compared to the healthy group (phealthy-RR<0.002; phealthy-PP<0.003; phealthy-SP<0.06). Neither variable changed over the 9-month time course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TRAF2 and RIP1 elevation in leukocytes might be interpreted as the molecular equivalent of an elevated general inflammatory activity in MS patients compared to healthy control persons. TRAF2 elevation in RRMS reinforces the concept that different pathophysiological and immunological processes sustain RRMS and SPMS or PPMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bezirkskrankenhaus Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany. reinhard.reuss.email1@gmx.de
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reuß
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirau
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mistarz
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Rolf-Hasso
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bödeker
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oschmann
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D028861:Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C119724:AGFG1 protein, human; D028861:Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2