Blood Test Monitors Nerve Protein in MS Patients
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 12 Dec 2017 |
|
Image: The Neurofilament light (NF-L) ELISA allows fast quantification in less than three hours of NF-L in cerebrospinal fluid (Photo courtesy of UmanDiagnostics).
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which neuronal damage is present at an early stage. Due to both unpredictable and heterogeneous disease course and treatment response, biomarkers reflecting these processes are highly sought after.
A blood test to monitor a nerve protein in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may help predict whether disease activity is flaring up. The nerve protein, called neurofilament light chain (NF-L), is a component of nerve cells and can be detected in the blood stream and spinal fluid when nerve cells die.
Scientists at the University of Bergen (Bergen, Norway) and their collaborators enrolled a cohort of 85 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) were followed for two years; six months without disease-modifying treatment and 18 months with interferon-beta 1a (IFNB-1a). Serum samples were collected at baseline and months 3, 6, 12, and 24 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline and monthly for 9 months and then at months 12 and 24.
The team analyzed the serum levels of NF-L using a single-molecule array assay and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and estimated the association with clinical and MRI disease activity using mixed-effects models. The concentration of NF-L was determined using a Simoa assay. The concentration of CHI3L1 in serum was measured using an ELISA.
The scientists reported that nerve protein levels in the blood were higher when MRI detected new T1 and T2 lesions, which are areas of damage in the brain due to MS. Those with new T1 lesions had 37.3 pg/mL of the nerve protein in their blood compared with 28 pg/mL for people without new T1 lesions. Those with new T2 lesions had 37.3 pg/mL of nerve protein in the blood compared with 27.7 pg/mL for those without new T2 lesions. Increased nerve protein levels were present for a three-month time period during the development of new lesions. Nerve protein levels also fell when treatment with interferon-beta 1a treatment began. The team found that an increase of 10 pg/mL in a person was associated with a 48% increased risk of developing a new T1 lesion and 62% increased risk of a new T2 lesion. Changes in CHI3L1 were not associated with clinical or MRI disease activity or interferon-beta 1a treatment.
Kristin N. Varhaug, MD, the lead author of the study, said, “Since MS varies so much from person to person and is so unpredictable in how the disease will progress and how people will respond to treatment, identifying a biomarker like this that can help us make predictions would be very helpful. These blood tests could provide a low-cost alternative to MRI for monitoring disease activity.” The study was published on November 29, 2017, in the journal Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation.
Related Links:
University of Bergen
A blood test to monitor a nerve protein in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may help predict whether disease activity is flaring up. The nerve protein, called neurofilament light chain (NF-L), is a component of nerve cells and can be detected in the blood stream and spinal fluid when nerve cells die.
Scientists at the University of Bergen (Bergen, Norway) and their collaborators enrolled a cohort of 85 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) were followed for two years; six months without disease-modifying treatment and 18 months with interferon-beta 1a (IFNB-1a). Serum samples were collected at baseline and months 3, 6, 12, and 24 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline and monthly for 9 months and then at months 12 and 24.
The team analyzed the serum levels of NF-L using a single-molecule array assay and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and estimated the association with clinical and MRI disease activity using mixed-effects models. The concentration of NF-L was determined using a Simoa assay. The concentration of CHI3L1 in serum was measured using an ELISA.
The scientists reported that nerve protein levels in the blood were higher when MRI detected new T1 and T2 lesions, which are areas of damage in the brain due to MS. Those with new T1 lesions had 37.3 pg/mL of the nerve protein in their blood compared with 28 pg/mL for people without new T1 lesions. Those with new T2 lesions had 37.3 pg/mL of nerve protein in the blood compared with 27.7 pg/mL for those without new T2 lesions. Increased nerve protein levels were present for a three-month time period during the development of new lesions. Nerve protein levels also fell when treatment with interferon-beta 1a treatment began. The team found that an increase of 10 pg/mL in a person was associated with a 48% increased risk of developing a new T1 lesion and 62% increased risk of a new T2 lesion. Changes in CHI3L1 were not associated with clinical or MRI disease activity or interferon-beta 1a treatment.
Kristin N. Varhaug, MD, the lead author of the study, said, “Since MS varies so much from person to person and is so unpredictable in how the disease will progress and how people will respond to treatment, identifying a biomarker like this that can help us make predictions would be very helpful. These blood tests could provide a low-cost alternative to MRI for monitoring disease activity.” The study was published on November 29, 2017, in the journal Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation.
Related Links:
University of Bergen
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test
Latest Clinical Chem. News
- 3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models
- POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection
- Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases
- New Blood Testing Method Detects Potent Opioids in Under Three Minutes
- Wireless Hepatitis B Test Kit Completes Screening and Data Collection in One Step
- Pain-Free, Low-Cost, Sensitive, Radiation-Free Device Detects Breast Cancer in Urine
- Spit Test Detects Breast Cancer in Five Seconds
- Electrochemical Sensors with Next-Generation Coating Advances Precision Diagnostics at POC
- First-Of-Its-Kind Handheld Device Accurately Detects Fentanyl in Urine within Seconds
- New Fluorescent Sensor Array Lights up Alzheimer’s-Related Proteins for Earlier Detection
- Automated Mass Spectrometry-Based Clinical Analyzer Could Transform Lab Testing
- Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses
- Non-Invasive Sensor Monitors Changes in Saliva Compositions to Rapidly Diagnose Diabetes
- Breakthrough Immunoassays to Aid in Risk Assessment of Preeclampsia
- Urine Test for Monitoring Changes in Kidney Health Markers Can Predict New-Onset Heart Failure
- AACC Releases Comprehensive Diabetes Testing Guidelines
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models
Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more.jpg "Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)")
POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection
Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more
Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases
The conventional methods for measuring free cortisol, the body's stress hormone, from blood or saliva are quite demanding and require sample processing. The most common method, therefore, involves collecting... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood Proteins Could Warn of Cancer Seven Years before Diagnosis
Two studies have identified proteins in the blood that could potentially alert individuals to the presence of cancer more than seven years before the disease is clinically diagnosed. Researchers found... Read more (1)_1.jpg "Image: Ultrasound image of micro-histotripsy liberation of biomarkers in a tumor (Photo courtesy of Joy Wang and Pradyumna Kedarisetti)"){kind=small}
Ultrasound-Aided Blood Testing Detects Cancer Biomarkers from Cells
Ultrasound imaging serves as a noninvasive method to locate and monitor cancerous tumors effectively. However, crucial details about the cancer, such as the specific types of cells and genetic mutations... Read more_1.jpg "Image: The innovative method to customize and strengthen DNA origami structure promises breakthroughs in medicine (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)")
.jpg "Image: The QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus has received U.S. FDA clearance (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN)")
Hematology
view channel
Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns
Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more
First 4-in-1 Nucleic Acid Test for Arbovirus Screening to Reduce Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
Arboviruses represent an emerging global health threat, exacerbated by climate change and increased international travel that is facilitating their spread across new regions. Chikungunya, dengue, West... Read more
POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more
First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy
Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing
Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more
Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more
Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read more
Clinical Decision Support Software a Game-Changer in Antimicrobial Resistance Battle
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global public health concern that claims millions of lives every year. It primarily results from the inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics, which reduces... Read morePathology
view channel
AI Integrated With Optical Imaging Technology Enables Rapid Intraoperative Diagnosis
Rapid and accurate intraoperative diagnosis is essential for tumor surgery as it guides surgical decisions with precision. Traditional intraoperative assessments, such as frozen sections based on H&E... Read more
HPV Self-Collection Solution Improves Access to Cervical Cancer Testing
Annually, over 604,000 women across the world are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and about 342,000 die from this disease, which is preventable and primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).... Read more
Hyperspectral Dark-Field Microscopy Enables Rapid and Accurate Identification of Cancerous Tissues
Breast cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS), also known as lumpectomy, is the removal of the cancerous lump and a small margin of surrounding tissue.... Read more
Technology
view channel
New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
While PCR tests are the gold standard of accuracy for virology testing, they come with limitations such as complexity, the need for skilled lab operators, and longer result times. They also require complex... Read more
DNA Biosensor Enables Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), recognized for its potential to form two-dimensional nanosheets like graphene, is a material that's increasingly catching the eye of the scientific community.... Read more
Self-Heating Microfluidic Devices Can Detect Diseases in Tiny Blood or Fluid Samples
Microfluidics, which are miniature devices that control the flow of liquids and facilitate chemical reactions, play a key role in disease detection from small samples of blood or other fluids.... Read more
Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible
Home testing gained significant importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the availability of rapid tests is limited, and most of them can only drive one liquid across the strip, leading to continued... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis
Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need... Read more
Beckman Coulter and MeMed Expand Host Immune Response Diagnostics Partnership
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and MeMed BV (Haifa, Israel) have expanded their host immune response diagnostics partnership. Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed... Read more_1.jpg "Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF)")
