Author Of 1 Presentation
PS03.03 - Evidence for infection triggering mechanism in blood transcriptional profile of Radiologically isolated syndrome
Abstract
Background
The difference between Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) and Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is lack of clinical symptomatology. RIS patients have increased risk progression to CIS, however the underlying molecular mechanisms of RIS has not been yet elucidated.
Objectives
To investigate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) transcriptional profile of patients with RIS using high throughput RNA-Seq platform.
Methods
Samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 14 RIS subjects (9 females, 31.5±3.6 years). The comparisons were performed with 26 disease modifying drugs free CIS patients (21 females, 33.2±1.9 years, EDSS 1.0±0.2, disease duration 1.6±0.5 years) and 16 age and gender matched healthy subjects (HS). All samples were applied for PBMC transcriptome analysis using Illumina RNA-Seq technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs, false discovery rate≥0.1, Fold change≥1.5) were obtained using DESeq2 software and functional analysis was performed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software.
Results
RIS and CIS patients were characterized by 455 and 125 DEGs, respectively as compared to HS. Among CIS associated DEGs, 65 (52%) were common with RIS group. RIS transcriptional profile was enriched by genes known to be associated with inflammatory response (p=2.3E-18), including antiviral response (p=2.3E-18), antimicrobial response (p=1.9E-15), immune cell trafficking (p=5.7E-09), activation of leukocytes (p=7.1E-11), phagocytes (p=2.9E-8), antigen presenting cells (p=7.6E-08) and attraction of mononuclear leukocytes (p=1.3E-07). Moreover, the specific RIS related transcriptional profile was associated with activation of bacterial and viruses pattern recognition receptors mechanism (p=7.8E-07), interferon signaling pathway (p=1.1E-07) leading to activation of antimicrobial and antiviral mechanisms.
Conclusions
RIS subjects have common cross-disease blood transcriptional profile with CIS. RIS specific PBMC transcriptome, suggests the occurrence of an initial infection that triggers immune mechanisms operating in the preclinical stage of multiple sclerosis.
Author Of 1 Presentation
LB1156 - Physical activity behavior in people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel: Results of an online survey (ID 1152)
Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) itself and first-line disease modifying therapies do not increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, home isolation is likely to result in a significant decrease in participation in leisure time physical activities and an increase in sedentary behavior. This avoidance behavior might be harmful for essential functions such as mobility, cognition, and physical fitness, resulting in a reduced quality of life in people with MS (PwMS), exceeding the typical impact of the disease.
Objectives
Provide data related to the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on physical activity (PA) behavior and fitness level in an Israeli cohort of PwMS.
Methods
During the 30-day period of May 15th and June 15th, 2020 an online survey questionnaire related to physical activity was distributed via e-mail and common social websites to ~500 PwMS. Descriptive information including age, gender, disease duration, and use of walking support was collected to characterize the population. Specifically, participants were asked to report on whether, and to what extent, the pandemic conditions had altered their PA behavior. Participants were asked to report the frequency per week they took part in PA sessions, and the duration and the type of activity they were engaged in. In addition, participants were asked to rate their level of physical fitness compared to the period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
One hundred thirteen PwMS completed the online survey, 74 were females with a mean age of 43.0 (S.D.=12.9) years. In the majority of responders (42.5%) disease duration was short, between 1-5 years, and 88.5% were not using any walking support. PA behavior during the pandemic demonstrated that 16.8% who were engaged in PA before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped practicing, 33.6% reduced their PA, 20.4% continued as before, and 18.6% increased their PA. Aerobic exercises were the main type of PA performed by 58.4% of patients. As for the patient’s self-reported fitness level, 31.9% reported that their fitness level had decreased during the pandemic, 60.2% felt no change, and 8% reported an improvement.
Conclusions
Our findings serve as a call of action for all professionals involved in MS management to address PA behavior in PwMS during the COVID-19 epidemic.