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Wang X, Qu Y, Fan J, Ren H. Serum NfL and EGFR/NfL ratio mRNAs as biomarkers for phenotype and disease severity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG-associated disease. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388734. [PMID: 38807603 PMCID: PMC11130348 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG is frequently elevated in pediatric patients with acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS). However, no specific biomarkers exist for phenotype classification, symptom severity, prognosis, and treatment guidance of MOG-IgG-associated disease (MOGAD). This study evaluated neurofilament light chain (NfL) and endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA expression levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as potential biomarkers for MOGAD in Chinese children. Methods This was a cross-sectional and single-center study. We enrolled 22 consecutive pediatric patients hospitalized with MOGAD and 20 control pediatric patients hospitalized for noninflammatory neurological diseases in Hebei Children's Hospital. Serum and CSF were collected from MOGAD patients within 3 days before immunotherapy. The mRNA levels of NfL and EGFR in serum and CSF were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the EGFR/NfL ratio mRNA was calculated. These measurement values were then compared between disease groups and among MOGAD phenotypes. In addition, the correlations between the mRNAs of three markers (NfL, EGFR, EGFR/NfL ratio), extended disability status scale (EDSS) scores, and clinical phenotypes were analyzed. Results Serum and CSF NfL mRNA levels were significantly higher of acute-stage MOGAD patients than those of control patients (p< 0.05 and p< 0.01, respectively), while the mRNA levels of serum EGFR and EGFR/NfL ratio were significantly lower of MOGAD patients than those of controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001). Serum NfL mRNA was significantly correlated with mRNA of serum EGFR (r =0.480, p < 0.05). Serum and CSF NfL mRNA levels in MOGAD patients with the ADEM-like phenotype were also significantly higher than those in control patients (p < 0.01, p < 0.01) and optic neuritis (ON) phenotype (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Both mRNAs of NfL in CSF and EGFR/NfL ratio in serum were correlated with EDSS scores (p < 0.05, r = 0.424; p < 0.05, r= -0.521). Conclusion The mRNA levels of elevated NfL in serum and CSF as well as lower EGFR and EGFR/NfL ratio in serum could help distinguish acute-phase MOGAD. Higher mRNA levels of NfL in serum and CSF of MOGAD patients help distinguish ADEM-like phenotype. In addition, serum EGFR/NfL mRNA ratio is indicative of disease severity in pediatric patients with MOGAD. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the pathological mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Second Department of Neurology, Hebei Children’s Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Science and Education, Hebei Children’s Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiayu Fan
- Second Department of Neurology, Hebei Children’s Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Huiqiang Ren
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Children’s Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
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Karthik KV, Rajalingam A, Shivashankar M, Ganjiwale A. Recursive Feature Elimination-based Biomarker Identification for Open Neural Tube Defects. Curr Genomics 2022; 23:195-206. [PMID: 36777008 PMCID: PMC9878829 DOI: 10.2174/1389202923666220511162038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Open spina bifida (myelomeningocele) is the result of the failure of spinal cord closing completely and is the second most common and severe birth defect. Open neural tube defects are multifactorial, and the exact molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis is not clear due to disease complexity for which prenatal treatment options remain limited worldwide. Artificial intelligence techniques like machine learning tools have been increasingly used in precision diagnosis. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to identify key genes for open neural tube defects using a machine learning approach that provides additional information about myelomeningocele in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Our study reports differential gene expression analysis from multiple datasets (GSE4182 and GSE101141) of amniotic fluid samples with open neural tube defects. The sample outliers in the datasets were detected using principal component analysis (PCA). We report a combination of the differential gene expression analysis with recursive feature elimination (RFE), a machine learning approach to get 4 key genes for open neural tube defects. The features selected were validated using five binary classifiers for diseased and healthy samples: Logistic Regression (LR), Decision tree classifier (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest classifier (RF), and K-nearest neighbour (KNN) with 5-fold cross-validation. Results: Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP43), Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Repetin (RPTN), and CD44 are the important genes identified in the study. These genes are known to be involved in axon growth, astrocyte differentiation in the central nervous system, post-traumatic brain repair, neuroinflammation, and inflammation-linked neuronal injuries. These key genes represent a promising tool for further studies in the diagnosis and early detection of open neural tube defects. Conclusion: These key biomarkers help in the diagnosis and early detection of open neural tube defects, thus evaluating the progress and seriousness in diseases condition. This study strengthens previous literature sources of confirming these biomarkers linked with open NTD's. Thus, among other prenatal treatment options present until now, these biomarkers help in the early detection of open neural tube defects, which provides success in both treatment and prevention of these defects in the advanced stage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aruna Rajalingam
- Department of Life Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Anjali Ganjiwale
- Department of Life Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
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3
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Scalabrino G. Newly Identified Deficiencies in the Multiple Sclerosis Central Nervous System and Their Impact on the Remyelination Failure. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040815. [PMID: 35453565 PMCID: PMC9026986 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains enigmatic and controversial. Myelin sheaths in the central nervous system (CNS) insulate axons and allow saltatory nerve conduction. MS brings about the destruction of myelin sheaths and the myelin-producing oligodendrocytes (ODCs). The conundrum of remyelination failure is, therefore, crucial in MS. In this review, the roles of epidermal growth factor (EGF), normal prions, and cobalamin in CNS myelinogenesis are briefly summarized. Thereafter, some findings of other authors and ourselves on MS and MS-like models are recapitulated, because they have shown that: (a) EGF is significantly decreased in the CNS of living or deceased MS patients; (b) its repeated administration to mice in various MS-models prevents demyelination and inflammatory reaction; (c) as was the case for EGF, normal prion levels are decreased in the MS CNS, with a strong correspondence between liquid and tissue levels; and (d) MS cobalamin levels are increased in the cerebrospinal fluid, but decreased in the spinal cord. In fact, no remyelination can occur in MS if these molecules (essential for any form of CNS myelination) are lacking. Lastly, other non-immunological MS abnormalities are reviewed. Together, these results have led to a critical reassessment of MS pathogenesis, partly because EGF has little or no role in immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Scalabrino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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4
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Scalabrino G. New Epidermal-Growth-Factor-Related Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis: Is It Also Epistemology? Front Neurol 2021; 12:754270. [PMID: 34899572 PMCID: PMC8664554 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.754270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings showing that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is significantly decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and spinal cord (SC) of living or deceased multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and that its repeated administration to rodents with chemically- or virally-induced demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) or experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) prevents demyelination and inflammatory reactions in the CNS, have led to a critical reassessment of the MS pathogenesis, partly because EGF is considered to have little or no role in immunology. EGF is the only myelinotrophic factor that has been tested in the CSF and spinal cord of MS patients, and it has been shown there is a good correspondence between liquid and tissue levels. This review: (a) briefly summarises the positive EGF effects on neural stem cells, oligodendrocyte cell lineage, and astrocytes in order to explain, at least in part, the biological basis of the myelin loss and remyelination failure in MS; and (b) after a short analysis of the evolution of the principle of cause-effect in the history of Western philosophy, highlights the lack of any experimental immune-, toxin-, or virus-mediated model that precisely reproduces the histopathological features and “clinical” symptoms of MS, thus underlining the inapplicability of Claude Bernard's crucial sequence of “observation, hypothesis, and hypothesis testing.” This is followed by a discussion of most of the putative non-immunologically-linked points of MS pathogenesis (abnormalities in myelinotrophic factor CSF levels, oligodendrocytes (ODCs), astrocytes, extracellular matrix, and epigenetics) on the basis of Popper's falsification principle, and the suggestion that autoimmunity and phologosis reactions (surely the most devasting consequences of the disease) are probably the last links in a chain of events that trigger the reactions. As it is likely that there is a lack of other myelinotrophic growth factors because myelinogenesis is controlled by various CNS and extra-CNS growth factors and other molecules within and outside ODCs, further studies are needed to investigate the role of non-immunological molecules at the time of the onset of the disease. In the words of Galilei, the human mind should be prepared to understand what nature has created.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Scalabrino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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5
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Harnessing the Physiological Functions of Cellular Prion Protein in the Kidneys: Applications for Treating Renal Diseases. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060784. [PMID: 34067472 PMCID: PMC8224798 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a ubiquitous cell surface glycoprotein, and its physiological functions have been receiving increased attention. Endogenous PrPC is present in various kidney tissues and undergoes glomerular filtration. In prion diseases, abnormal prion proteins are found to accumulate in renal tissues and filtered into urine. Urinary prion protein could serve as a diagnostic biomarker. PrPC plays a role in cellular signaling pathways, reno-protective effects, and kidney iron uptake. PrPC signaling affects mitochondrial function via the ERK pathway and is affected by the regulatory influence of microRNAs, small molecules, and signaling proteins. Targeting PrPC in acute and chronic kidney disease could help improve iron homeostasis, ameliorate damage from ischemia/reperfusion injury, and enhance the efficacy of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell or extracellular vesicle-based therapeutic strategies. PrPC may also be under the influence of BMP/Smad signaling and affect the progression of TGF-β-related renal fibrosis. PrPC conveys TNF-α resistance in some renal cancers, and therefore, the coadministration of anti-PrPC antibodies improves chemotherapy. PrPC can be used to design antibody-drug conjugates, aptamer-drug conjugates, and customized tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases to suppress cancer. With preclinical studies demonstrating promising results, further research on PrPC in the kidney may lead to innovative PrPC-based therapeutic strategies for renal disease.
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Scalabrino G. Epidermal Growth Factor in the CNS: A Beguiling Journey from Integrated Cell Biology to Multiple Sclerosis. An Extensive Translational Overview. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:891-916. [PMID: 33151415 PMCID: PMC8942922 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This article reviews the wealth of papers dealing with the different effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, neurons, and neural stem cells (NSCs). EGF induces the in vitro and in vivo proliferation of NSCs, their migration, and their differentiation towards the neuroglial cell line. It interacts with extracellular matrix components. NSCs are distributed in different CNS areas, serve as a reservoir of multipotent cells, and may be increased during CNS demyelinating diseases. EGF has pleiotropic differentiative and proliferative effects on the main CNS cell types, particularly oligodendrocytes and their precursors, and astrocytes. EGF mediates the in vivo myelinotrophic effect of cobalamin on the CNS, and modulates the synthesis and levels of CNS normal prions (PrPCs), both of which are indispensable for myelinogenesis and myelin maintenance. EGF levels are significantly lower in the cerebrospinal fluid and spinal cord of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which probably explains remyelination failure, also because of the EGF marginal role in immunology. When repeatedly administered, EGF protects mouse spinal cord from demyelination in various experimental models of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. It would be worth further investigating the role of EGF in the pathogenesis of MS because of its multifarious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Scalabrino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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7
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Xu G, Zhou CS, Tang WZ, Xu J, Xu G, Cheng C, Wang LD, Ding KH. Local Administration of Methylcobalamin for Subacute Ophthalmic Herpetic Neuralgia: A Randomized, Phase III Clinical Trial. Pain Pract 2020; 20:838-849. [PMID: 32372561 DOI: 10.1111/papr.12909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is one of the most frequently involved sites of postherpetic neuralgia. A single-center randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of local methylcobalamin injection for subacute ophthalmic herpetic neuralgia (SOHN). METHODS One hundred and five patients with a pain score of 4 or greater were randomized to receive a combination of methylcobalamin and lidocaine via local injection (LM group, n = 35), intramuscular methylcobalamin and local lidocaine injection (IM group, n = 35), and oral methylcobalamin tablet and lidocaine local injection (OM group, n = 35) for 4 weeks. Multilevel mixed modeling was employed to examine treatment responses. RESULTS Pain scores were reduced in all groups, but this reduction was significantly greater in the LM group (6.7 at baseline vs. 2.8 at endpoint) when compared with systemic administration (IM group 6.8 vs. 4.9, OM group 6.7 vs. 5.1). Clinically relevant reduction of pain (>30%) was seen in 91% of patients in the LM group, a significantly greater proportion than in the systemic groups (66% IM group, 57% OM group). Analgesic use reduced significantly in the LM group (94% at baseline vs. 6% at endpoint) but not in systemic groups (IM group 97% vs. 86%, OM group 94% vs. 80%). Health-related quality of life was higher in the LM group than in the systemic groups. In mixed modelling, increased age was associated with a lower response to methylcobalamin. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that local injection of methylcobalamin produces significant pain relief from SOHN and is superior to systemic administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Chongming Branch of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Sheng Zhou
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhen Tang
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Cheng
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Zoster-associated Pain Research Center, Affiliated Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Dong Wang
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Chongming Branch of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Hua Ding
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Chongming Branch of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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8
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Pavlov CS, Damulin IV, Shulpekova YO, Andreev EA. Neurological disorders in vitamin B12 deficiency. TERAPEVT ARKH 2019; 91:122-129. [PMID: 31094486 DOI: 10.26442/00403660.2019.04.000116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The review discusses thesteps of vitamin B12 metabolism and its role in maintaining of neurological functions. The term "vitamin B12 (cobalamin)" refers to several substances (cobalamins) of a very similar structure. Cobalamin enters the body with animal products. On the peripherу cobalamin circulates only in binding with proteins transcobalamin I and II (complex cobalamin-transcobalamin II is designated as "holotranscobalamin"). Holotranscobalamin is absorbed by different cells, whereas transcobalamin I-binded vitamin B12 - only by liver and kidneys. Two forms of cobalamin were identified as coenzymes of cellular reactions which are methylcobalamin (in cytoplasm) and hydroxyadenosylcobalamin (in mitochondria). The main causes of cobalamin deficiency are related to inadequate intake of animal products, autoimmune gastritis, pancreatic insufficiency, terminal ileum disease, syndrome of intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Relative deficiency may be seen in excessive binding of vitamin B12 to transcobalamin I. Cobalamin deficiency most significantly affects functions of blood, nervous system and inflammatory response. Anemia occurs in 13-15% of cases; macrocytosis is an early sign. The average size of neutrophils and monocytes is the most sensitive marker of megaloblastic hematopoiesis. The demands in vitamin B12 are particularly high in nervous tissue. Hypovitaminosis is accompanied by pathological lesions both in white and gray brain matter. Several types of neurological manifestations are described: subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord (funicular myelinosis), sensomotor polyneuropathy, optic nerve neuropathy, cognitive disorders. The whole range of neuropsychiatric disorders with vitamin B12 deficiency has not been studied well enough. Due to certain diagnostic difficulties they are often regarded as "cryptogenic", "reactive", "vascular» origin. Normal or decreased total plasma cobalamin level could not a reliable marker of vitamin deficiency. In difficult cases the content of holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid / homocysteine, and folate in the blood serum should be investigated besides carefully analysis of clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ch S Pavlov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Damulin
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Yu O Shulpekova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Andreev
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
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9
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Wolffenbuttel BH, Wouters HJ, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van der Klauw MM. The Many Faces of Cobalamin (Vitamin B 12) Deficiency. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2019; 3:200-214. [PMID: 31193945 PMCID: PMC6543499 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency was described over a century ago, it is still difficult to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. Symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency may be diverse and vary from neurologic to psychiatric. A number of individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency may present with the classic megaloblastic anemia. In clinical practice, many cases of vitamin B12 deficiency are overlooked or sometimes even misdiagnosed. In this review, we describe the heterogeneous disease spectrum of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency in whom the diagnosis was either based on low serum B12 levels, elevated biomarkers like methylmalonic acid and/or homocysteine, or the improvement of clinical symptoms after the institution of parenteral vitamin B12 therapy. We discuss the possible clinical signs and symptoms of patients with B12 deficiency and the various pitfalls of diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce H.R. Wolffenbuttel
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL-9700 RB, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: Address to Bruce H. R. Wolffenbuttel, MD, PhD, Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC AA31 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke J.C.M. Wouters
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL-9700 RB, The Netherlands
- Department of Haematology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL-9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - M. Rebecca Heiner-Fokkema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL-9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie M. van der Klauw
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, NL-9700 RB, The Netherlands
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10
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Nicoletti F, Mazzon E, Fagone P, Mangano K, Mammana S, Cavalli E, Basile MS, Bramanti P, Scalabrino G, Lange A, Curtin F. Prevention of clinical and histological signs of MOG-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by prolonged treatment with recombinant human EGF. J Neuroimmunol 2019; 332:224-232. [PMID: 31100693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) represents the prototype of the group I EGF family. The pleiotropic effects of the EGF have attracted attention to the possibility that it could be implicated in autoimmune diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We show here that treatment with EGF, as a late prophylactic regime, improved the clinical and histological features of EAE, a preclinical model of MS. In silico analysis further corroborated these findings by demonstrating that EGF receptors are less expressed in CNS from patients with MS as compared to controls. Taken together these data provide clear-cut in vivo proof of concept for a beneficial role of exogenously administered EGF in MS, that may, therefore, represent a novel therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
| | | | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Santa Mammana
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo', Messina, Italy
| | | | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Scalabrino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Neuropathology, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alois Lange
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Francois Curtin
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
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11
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Fluegge K. Structural brain alterations in autism and environmental exposure to nitrous oxide. Epilepsy Behav 2018; 83:247-248. [PMID: 29661644 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keith Fluegge
- Institute of Health and Environmental Research, Cleveland, OH 44118, USA.
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12
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Dhillon VS, Zabaras D, Almond T, Cavuoto P, James-Martin G, Fenech M. Whey protein isolate improves vitamin B12and folate status in elderly Australians with subclinical deficiency of vitamin B12. Mol Nutr Food Res 2017; 61. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201600915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Varinderpal S. Dhillon
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Dimitrios Zabaras
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Theodora Almond
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Paul Cavuoto
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Genevieve James-Martin
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Michael Fenech
- Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity; Adelaide South Australia Australia
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13
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Veber D, Scalabrino G. Are PrPCs involved in some human myelin diseases? Relating experimental studies to human pathology. J Neurol Sci 2015; 359:396-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.09.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Abstract
B12 -antimetabolites are compounds that counteract the physiological effects of vitamin B12 and related natural cobalamins. Presented here is a structure- and reactivity-based concept of the specific 'antivitamins B12 ': it refers to analogues of vitamin B12 that display high structural similarity to the vitamin and are 'locked chemically' to prevent their metabolic conversion into the crucial organometallic B12 -cofactors. Application of antivitamins B12 to healthy laboratory animals is, thus, expected to induce symptoms of B12 -deficiency. Antivitamins B12 may, hence, be helpful in elucidating still largely puzzling pathophysiological phenomena associated with B12 -deficiency, and also in recognizing physiological roles of B12 that probably still remain to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Kräutler
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck (Austria).
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15
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Scalabrino G, Veber D, De Giuseppe R, Roncaroli F. Low levels of cobalamin, epidermal growth factor, and normal prions in multiple sclerosis spinal cord. Neuroscience 2015; 298:293-301. [PMID: 25888933 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the key myelin-related molecules cobalamin (Cbl), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and normal cellular prions (PrP(C)s), thus confirming that some CSF abnormalities may be co-responsible for remyelination failure. We determined the levels of these three molecules in post-mortem spinal cord (SC) samples taken from MS patients and control patients. The control SC samples, almost all of which came from non-neurological patients, did not show any microscopic lesions of any type. All of the samples were supplied by the U.K. MS Tissue Bank. The Cbl, EGF, and PrP(C) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The SC total homocysteine level was determined using a competitive immunoenzymatic assay. CSF samples, taken from a further group of MS patients, were used for the assay of holo-transcobalamin (holo-TC) levels. The Cbl, EGF, and PrP(C) levels were significantly decreased in MS SCs in comparison with controls and, paradoxically, the decreased Cbl levels were associated with decreased SC levels of homocysteine, a biochemical marker of Cbl deficiency. The trends of EGF and PrP(C) levels paralleled those previously found in CSF, whereas that of Cbl was the opposite. There was no significant difference in CSF holo-TC levels between the MS patients and the controls. Given that we have previously demonstrated that Cbl positively regulates central nervous system EGF levels, it is conceivable that the low EGF levels in the MS SC may be causally related to a local decrease in Cbl levels. Only PrP(C) levels were invariably decreased in both the SC and CSF regardless of the clinical course of the disease. These findings suggest that the simultaneous lack of Cbl, EGF, and PrP(C)s may greatly hamper the remyelination process in MS patients, because they are key molecules of the machinery for remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Scalabrino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Neuropathology, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - D Veber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Neuropathology, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - R De Giuseppe
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - F Roncaroli
- Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, UK
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