SOLUBLE ICAM-1 SERUM LEVELS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS AND VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS

Intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 has a crucial role in the induc tion of an immune response and is instrumental in migration of T cells into inflamed tissue. We studied soluble ICAM-1 concentrations in pat ients with multiple sclerosis (MS), viral encephalitis, and other immu nologic diseases, and compared results with those in other noninflamma tory, nondemyelinating neurologic disorders as well as in healthy cont rols. MS patients with clinically active disease or enhancing lesions on MRI had elevated serum levels of soluble ICAM-1. Concentrations of soluble ICAM-1 were also increased in some patients with viral encepha litis. These findings raise the possibility that circulating ICAM-1 se rves as a marker of acute inflammatory events in the brain and add to evidence implicating this adhesion molecule in the pathogenesis of MS.