Immune cell NT-3 expression is associated with brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis patients

Immune Cell Neurotrophin Production Is Associated with Subcortical Brain Atrophy in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

“…Assuming that neurotrophins exert a neuroprotective effect, we expected a positive correlation, at least early in the disease course. We have previously confirmed such an association in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients [19]. In SLE, such a compensatory mechanism might be ineffective regarding brain damage, but is sufficient for decreasing overall disease activity, as reflected by the SLEDAI score.…”

“…One other study assessed neurotrophin expression within B and T cells with flow cytometry, measuring the number of neurotrophin-producing cells, without quantifying the actual neurotrophin expression [24]. Our approach to PBMC assessment was also used in other disorders, such as multiple sclerosis [25, 19]. Another compartment that may be relevant with regards to CNS involvement in lupus is obviously CSF.…”

“…On the other hand, in the case of neurotrophin levels, one has to consider that the CSF compartment rather reflects the neuronal pool of neurotrophins, as it is healthy neurons that are a major source of neurotrophic factors in the brain. Consequently, although CSF is undoubtedly a key compartment to the study of the neuropsychiatric effects of the disease, in the case of neurotrophic factors it seems valid to assess the immune cell-related additional neurotrophic support, which could be provided “in situ” at the site of inflammation, as we suggested in our previous publication [19]. …”

“…Samples were kept frozen at −80°C until further analysis. Before the measurement of neurotrophin concentrations, PBMCs were resuspended in a lysis buffer (NaCl, Tris-HCl, EDTA), supplemented with Triton X-100 (Sigma-Aldrich), and a proteinase inhibitor cocktail (Sigma-Aldrich), as described in our previously published paper [19]. The protein content was determined using the Lowry method [20].…”

“…Should the neurotrophin production pathway be altered, it could result in less efficient neuroprotection and, consequently, more noticeable brain damage leading to atrophy. We have previously shown the association of higher immune cell NT-3 and reduced brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis [19]. In this study, we wanted to investigate the possible link between immune cell production of neurotrophins and brain atrophy measured with volumetric neuroimaging parameters in NPSLE.…”