Effect of the treatment with methylprednisolone on the cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 chemokines in patients with active multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Several experimental and human studies suggest that the chemokines CCL2 and CXCL10 may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we evaluated the effect of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) therapy on the levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with active MS. METHODS: Serum and CSF samples were obtained from 14 patients with active relapsing-remitting MS (age +/- SD years, 37.0 +/- 8.1; M/F, 6/8) and age- and gender-matched control subjects. All patients were submitted to IVMP treatment (500 mg daily for 5 days). Blood and CSF sampling were performed at admission, i.e. before treatment (day 0), at the end of the treatment (day 6) and 30 days after treatment (day 30). The clinical status of MS patients was also assessed. CCL2 and CXCL10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Multiple sclerosis patients had lower CCL2 and higher CXCL10 in CSF when compared with control subjetcs. After treatment with methylprednisolone, MS patients showed clinical improvement and the CSF concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL10 modified toward normal values. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical improvement of active MS following the treatment with methylprednisolone was associated with the modification of CSF levels of CCL2 and CXCL10, suggesting that these chemokines may be useful markers of response to treatment and relapses in MS patients.