Serum sAPO-1/Fas levels in multiple sclerosis

Soluble APO-1 (sAPO-1) may prevent apoptosis of lymphocytes induced by activation of the APO-1/Fas receptor. Objectives – To determine sAPO-1 levels in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls in order to investigate if abnormal lymphocyte apoptosis occurs in this disease. Methods – Serum samples from patients with MS, other neurological diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results – We did not detect differences in mean serum sAPO-1 levels between patients with multiple sclerosis and controls. Conclusions – This preliminary study suggests that resistance of peripheral blood lymphocytes to apoptosis mediated by sAPO-1 is not likely to be a major factor in the development of autoreactive cells in MS.