Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background MS is characterized by persistent central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Investigating the CNS-compartmentalized inflammation associated with progressive MS could uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be markedly el...

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Main Authors: Justine Itorralba, Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi, Georges Saab, Alexandra Muccilli, Raphael Schneider
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04145-0
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author Justine Itorralba
Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi
Georges Saab
Alexandra Muccilli
Raphael Schneider
author_facet Justine Itorralba
Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi
Georges Saab
Alexandra Muccilli
Raphael Schneider
author_sort Justine Itorralba
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background MS is characterized by persistent central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Investigating the CNS-compartmentalized inflammation associated with progressive MS could uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be markedly elevated in neuroinflammatory conditions, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. This study investigated the association between CSF IL-6 levels, progressive disease, and disease severity in MS. Methods Advanced technologies, including single-molecule arrays and microfluidics, were used to analyse CSF samples from individuals with MS at the time of diagnosis for IL-6. IL-6 levels were then correlated with clinical course, disease severity, and other known biomarkers associated with inflammation and disease severity. Results Elevated IL-6 levels in the CSF were found in individuals with progressive MS, and CSF IL-6 showed positive correlations with the Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score, and CSF glial fibrillary acidic protein levels. Conclusions IL-6 in CSF indicates ongoing CNS inflammation and may contribute to the compartmentalized inflammation associated with disease progression and overall disease severity.
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spelling doaj-art-e62a541661d34f2fa3f31066c7cf5cf52025-08-20T02:25:40ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772025-04-0125111010.1186/s12883-025-04145-0Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosisJustine Itorralba0Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi1Georges Saab2Alexandra Muccilli3Raphael Schneider4Department of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoDepartment of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoUniversity of Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis ClinicDepartment of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoDepartment of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health TorontoAbstract Background MS is characterized by persistent central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Investigating the CNS-compartmentalized inflammation associated with progressive MS could uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be markedly elevated in neuroinflammatory conditions, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. This study investigated the association between CSF IL-6 levels, progressive disease, and disease severity in MS. Methods Advanced technologies, including single-molecule arrays and microfluidics, were used to analyse CSF samples from individuals with MS at the time of diagnosis for IL-6. IL-6 levels were then correlated with clinical course, disease severity, and other known biomarkers associated with inflammation and disease severity. Results Elevated IL-6 levels in the CSF were found in individuals with progressive MS, and CSF IL-6 showed positive correlations with the Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score, and CSF glial fibrillary acidic protein levels. Conclusions IL-6 in CSF indicates ongoing CNS inflammation and may contribute to the compartmentalized inflammation associated with disease progression and overall disease severity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04145-0Multiple sclerosisInterleukin-6Cerebrospinal fluidDisease progressionNeuroinflammation
spellingShingle Justine Itorralba
Koroboshka Brand-Arzamendi
Georges Saab
Alexandra Muccilli
Raphael Schneider
Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
BMC Neurology
Multiple sclerosis
Interleukin-6
Cerebrospinal fluid
Disease progression
Neuroinflammation
title Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
title_full Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
title_fullStr Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
title_short Intrathecal interleukin-6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
title_sort intrathecal interleukin 6 levels are associated with progressive disease and clinical severity in multiple sclerosis
topic Multiple sclerosis
Interleukin-6
Cerebrospinal fluid
Disease progression
Neuroinflammation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04145-0
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AT georgessaab intrathecalinterleukin6levelsareassociatedwithprogressivediseaseandclinicalseverityinmultiplesclerosis
AT alexandramuccilli intrathecalinterleukin6levelsareassociatedwithprogressivediseaseandclinicalseverityinmultiplesclerosis
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