Increased levels of IL-23 and osteopontin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients

Osteopontin (OPN) and interleukin-23 (IL-23) are pro-inflammatory cytokines proposed to play central roles to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of OPN, IL-23 and other inflammatory cytokines and investigate their relationships in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with MS. Fifty one MS patients and 48 patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) were recruited from clinic. The levels of OPN, IL-23, IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum and CSF were determined in each participant. Compared with NIND group, MS patients had significantly elevated levels of OPN, IL-23, IL-17 and TNF-alpha in CSF, and elevated levels of IL-23, IL-17 and TNF-alpha in serum (All P<0.001). In MS patients, OPN and IL-23 were positively correlated with IL-17 (r=0.302, P=0.019; r=0.417, P=0.001, respectively); and IL-23 was positively correlated with EDSS (r=0.329, P=0.019). Both OPN and IL-23 may play pivotal role in development of MS and might be specific markers and therapeutic targets for MS.