Association of Levels of CSF Osteopontin With Cortical Atrophy and Disability in Early Multiple Sclerosis
Damiano Marastoni, Ermanna Turano, Agnese Tamanti, Elisa Colato, Anna Isabella Pisani, Arianna Scartezzini, Silvia Carotenuto, Valentina Mazziotti, Valentina Camera, Daniela Anni, Stefano Ziccardi, Maddalena Guandalini, Francesca B. Pizzini, Federica Virla, Raffaella Mariotti, Roberta Magliozzi, Bruno Bonetti, Lawrence Steinman, Massimiliano Calabrese
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate CSF inflammatory markers with accumulation of cortical damage as well as disease activity in patients with early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS: CSF levels of osteopontin (OPN) and 66 inflammatory markers were assessed using an immune-assay multiplex technique in 107 patients with RRMS (82 F/25 M, mean age 35.7 ± 11.8 years). All patients underwent regular clinical assessment and yearly 3T MRI scans for 2 years while 39 patients had a 4-year follow-up. White matter lesion number and volume, cortical lesions (CLs) and volume, and global cortical thickness (CTh) were evaluated together with the 'no evidence of disease activity' (NEDA-3) status, defined by no relapses, no disability worsening, and no MRI activity, including CLs. RESULTS: = 0.004) at the multivariate logistic regression model. DISCUSSION: These data confirm and expand our knowledge on the prognostic role of the CSF inflammatory profile in predicting changes in cortical pathology and disease activity in early MS. The data emphasize a crucial role of OPN.