SOLUBLE E-SELECTIN IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - RAISED CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY PROGRESSIVE DISEASE

Objective-To concentrations of soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), an im munological marker of endothelial activation, were correlated with gad olinium-DPTA enhancement on MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. M ethods-Serial sE-selectin concentrations were measured in 28 patients with multiple sclerosis undergoing monthly gadolinium (Gd) enhanced MR I of the brain and spinal cord, and in 10 control subjects. C reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and tumour necrosis facto r-alpha (TNF alpha) were also determined. Results-Primary progressive patients had significantly increased sE-selectin concentrations compar ed with the relapsing remitting and secondary progressive patients who had normal sE-selectin concentrations (22.2 (SD1 6.1) ng/ml v 9.8 (SD 2.1) ng/ml and 7.7 (SD 2.7) ng/ml, respectively, P = 0.03). This diff erence was attributable to five of the 10 primary progressive patients who had persistently raised sE-selectin concentrations, with relative ly inactive MRI studies. No correlation could be found between sE-sele ctin concentrations and Gd enhancement on MRI, but a close correlation existed between mean concentrations of sE-selectin and TNF alpha (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). Despite raised sE-selectin and TNF alpha concentrat ions, primary progressive patients had normal CRP concentrations (1.03 (SD 1.14) mg/l), which were significantly lower than the relapsing re mitting (3.16 (SD 2.54) mg/l) and secondary progressive patients (2.28 (SD 2.1) mg/l, P = 0.03). Raised CRP concentrations did correlate det ermine whether with infectious episodes, clinical relapse, and Gd enha ncement, and were significantly raised when no MRT activity was found. Concentrations of vWF were normal in all patient groups. Conclusions- The results further highlight the differences between patients with pr imary progressive and those with relapsing remitting/secondary progres sive multiple sclerosis.