Elevated Levels of IFN-γ in CSF and Serum of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether the levels of IFN-γ in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum are elevated in ALS patients and to analyze the correlations between the IFN-γ levels and disease progression.


METHODS
CSF and serum samples were obtained from 52 ALS patients and 31 non-ALS patients. The levels of IFN-γ in CSF and serum were assessed, and disease progression parameters, including the disease interval (months from onset, MFO), the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-r) score and the disease progression rate (DPR) were analyzed by registered neurologists. All samples were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using Prism software.


RESULTS
Compared to the non-ALS patients, the ALS patients displayed significantly increased levels of IFN-γ in both CSF and serum, and these values consistently correlated with disease progression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated that IFN-γ in CSF may serve as a biomarker of ALS differentiation and progression. CSF IFN-γ was a more reliable biomarker of disease diagnosis and progression than serum IFN-γ.
Microbiology Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Juan
J
Liu
Department of Neurology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Lina
L
Gao
Department of Neurology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Dawei
D
Zang
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D007371:Interferon-gamma