Serum Levels of Biomarkers of Immune Activation and Associations With Neurological Impairment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients During Remission

Introduction:Although much is known about cytokines and adhesion molecules during an active course of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is limited information about their serum levels during remission.Objective:This study aimed to (1) compare peripheral levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble interleukin-2 receptor α (sIL-2Rα), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in MS patients during clinical remission with those of healthy controls and (2) explore possible relationships between the levels of these cytokines and adhesion molecules and neurological impairment.Methods:Initially, 92 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who were in clinical remission and 30 healthy controls were recruited for this study. The severity of neurological impairment was assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Serum concentrations of TNF-α, sIL-2Rα, sICAM-1, and sE-selectin were determined using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunos...