CXCL13 Is A Biomarker Of Anti-Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated Protein 1 Encephalitis Patients

Abstract

Background

Although antibody-mediated immune responses are considered pathogenic and responsible for neural injury in anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (anti-LGI1) encephalitis, previous studies have indicated that cytokines and chemokines might play roles in the pathogenic process by serving as B cell enhancers. In this study, we detected the profiles of cytokines and chemokines in the cerebral fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis to identify potential biomarkers.

Methods

Sixteen patients diagnosed with anti-LGI1 encephalitis and nine patients diagnosed with noninflammatory neurologic disorders were included in the study. Cytokines and chemokines including IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, CXCL12, CXCL13, BAFF and HMGB1 in serum and CSF were measured.

Results

The serum and CSF levels of CXCL13 were significantly higher in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis (36.32±34.71 pg/mL and 2.23±2.41 pg/mL, respectively) than in controls (10.84±5.02 pg/mL and 0.34±0.21 pg/mL, respectively). There was no significant difference in serum or CSF levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, CXCL12, BAFF and HMGB1 between the two groups.

Conclusion

CXCL13 is a potential biomarker of active inflammation in anti-LGI1 encephalitis. The distinctive response of cytokines and chemokines might be closely linked to the mechanisms underlying this condition.

Keywords:

• leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1
• CXCL13
• cytokine
• encephalitis
• biomarker

Acknowledgment

This work is supported by grants from Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81873786), Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (No.ZR2017MH082).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.