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Cerebrospinal fluid fetuin-A is a biomarker of active multiple sclerosis

Summary: In this study from the US, the researchers investigated if fetuin-A is an indicator of disease activity. Fetuin-A is a serum protein secreted mainly from the liver that functions in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. It has recently been identified as a potential biomarker in MS, with many functions, including a role in immune pathways.

The researchers found that fetuin-A levels were reduced in CSF one year post treatment with natalizumab. Interestingly, they found that 69% of natalizumab-treated patients overall had decreased fetuin-A levels, which correlates with the known response rate to natalizumab treatment. Fetuin-A was increased in demyelinating lesions and in grey matter within MS brain tissue. In EAE, they found fetuin-A was elevated in degenerating neurons around demyelinating lesions. Also, fetuin-A deficient mice demonstrated delayed onset and reduced severity of EAE symptoms.......... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/index.cfm/biomarkersandmicroRNA

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