Author Of 1 Presentation
P0065 - Differential neuroinflammation genes expression in benign and highly active multiple sclerosis (ID 1452)
Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly heterogenous disease. Its progression rates and inflammatory activity vary from benign course with rare relapses and expanded disability scale (EDSS) scores 3 or less after more than 10 years after disease onset to highly active disease with rapid progression, high disability scores and poor response to disease modifying treatments (DMTs). Despite extensive research there are currently no biomarkers that could precisely predict MS course.
Objectives
We aimed to investigate differences in the expression of multiple genes associated with neuroinflammation in patients with benign and highly active MS.
Methods
The study included 25 patients with MS (12 with highly active disease and 13 with benign MS) and 12 healthy controls (HCs). Gene expression was analyzed in subjects peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) RNA using the Neuroinflammation gene expression panel consisting of 770 genes for the Nanostring nCounter platform. Data was processed with the nSolver Analysis Software 4.0 and IBM SPSS and Statistics 23. Gene expression levels were compared with clinical features.
Results
We identified differences in the expression of 89 genes in PBMCs of benign, highly active MS patients and HCs using ANOVA. Genes related to innate immunity, autophagy, microglia function and apoptosis were the most widely represented. Heatmap analysis showed a subset of genes that were differentially expressed in patients with benign and highly active MS. Pairwise comparison of gene expression in patients with benign and highly active MS in the post-hoc analysis revealed 28 genes with significantly different expression in the two subgroups, mostly genes related to microglia function, innate immune response and apoptosis.
Conclusions
The study identified differential expression of genes related to neuroinflammation in benign and highly active MS. The results could have potential implications for prognosis and treatment planning.