Decreased soluble IFN-β receptor (sIFNAR2) in multiple sclerosis patients: A potential serum diagnostic biomarker

Mult Scler. 2017 Jun;23(7):937-945. doi: 10.1177/1352458516667564. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Abstract

Background: The soluble isoform of the interferon-β (IFN-β) receptor (sIFNAR2) could modulate the activity of both endogenous and systemically administered IFN-β. Previously, we described lower serum sIFNAR2 levels in untreated multiple sclerosis (MS) than in healthy controls (HCs).

Objective: To assess sIFNAR2 levels in a new cohort of MS patients and HCs, as well as in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and to assess its ability as a diagnostic biomarker.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 148 MS (84 treatment naive and 64 treated), 87 CIS, 42 OIND, and 96 HCs. Longitudinal study included 94 MS pretreatment and after 1 year of therapy with IFN-β, glatiramer acetate (GA), or natalizumab. sIFNAR2 serum levels were measured by a quantitative ELISA developed and validated in our laboratory.

Results: Naive MS and CIS patients showed significantly lower sIFNAR2 levels than HCs and OIND patients. The sensitivity and specificity to discriminate between MS and OIND, for a sIFNAR2 cutoff value of 122.02 ng/mL, were 70.1%, and 79.4%, respectively. sIFNAR2 increased significantly in IFN-β-treated patients during the first year of therapy in contrast to GA- and natalizumab-treated patients who showed non-significant changes.

Conclusion: The results suggest that sIFNAR2 could be a potential diagnostic biomarker for MS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; biomarker; diagnosis; soluble interferon beta receptor.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Glatiramer Acetate / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Natalizumab / therapeutic use
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / blood*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • IFNAR2 protein, human
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Natalizumab
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Interferon-beta