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Abstract
Background
Studies have just started delineating the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objectives
To investigate the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes in Egyptian patients with MS, and to examine the role of TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression as a candidate biomarker for MS diagnosis.
Methods
A total of 84 patients with newly diagnosed MS and 68 healthy controls were included in this study. The expression levels of TLR-2 and TLR-4 were assessed by flow cytometry technique using appropriate monoclonal antibodies.
Results
TLR-2 demonstrated a significantly higher expression on the lymphocytes and neutrophils of patients, whereas that of TLR-4 was significantly higher only on lymphocytes than those in the control group. However, there was no significant difference between patients with relapsing remitting MS and those with secondary progressive MS in terms of TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression. The expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on the lymphocytes and neutrophils of patients showed no significant correlation with either the duration of the disease or disability. The sensitivity and specificity of TLR-2 expression on lymphocytes and neutrophils to diagnose MS were 73.81%, 70.59%, 69.05%, and 52.94%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of TLR-4 expression on lymphocytes and neutrophils were 88.10%, 79.41%, 78.57%, and 76.47%, respectively.
Conclusion
The expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes has a potential role in the pathogenesis of MS. TLR-4 expression on lymphocytes and neutrophils could be used as a potential biomarker to diagnose MS.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the subjects for their participation and cooperation in this study. The research was presented as a poster presentation displayed in the 4th MENACTRIMS Congress, 2018, Dubai, UAE and published only as an abstract in the proceedings of the Congress by MS and Related disorders (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2018.10.046). We hereby confirm that this manuscript has not been submitted before to any other journal for publication.
Author contributions
Dalia Ahmed labib and Ingy Ashmawy: research idea, performing and reviewing the laboratory workup, and manuscript writing. Alaa Elmazny: data acquisition, data analysis, and manuscript reviewing. Rania Shehata Ismail, and Hanan Helmy: data interpretation and manuscript writing and reviewing.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.