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Microglial Activation in MS

Evaluating sTREM-2 as a marker

Publish date:: January 19, 2016

Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (sTREM-2), a marker of microglial activation, in MS and normalization upon treatment with either natalizumab or mitoxantrone support a role for microglial activation in active MS. This according to a study of 36 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 20 patients with secondary progressive MS, 3 patients with primary progressive MS, and 27 controls. Researchers found:

CSF levels of sTREM-2 were significantly increased in patients with RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS vs controls.

Levels of sTREM-2 were normalized to control levels after treatment with natalizumab.

sTREM-2 levels were also reduced after mitoxantrone treatment.

Citation: Öhrfelt A, Axelsson M, Malmestrӧm C, et al. Soluble TREM-2 in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab or mitoxantrone. [Published online ahead of print January 11, 2016]. Mult Scler. doi:10.1177/1352458515624558

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