The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis

Abstract The interaction between natural killer group 2 members D and their ligands (NKG2D-NKG2DLs) may play a role in the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Owing to their measurable presence in biofluids, soluble NKG2DLs may serve as potential biomarkers for disease activity. NKG2DL famil...

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Main Authors: Aleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska, Agata Świątek, Agnieszka Synowiec, Robert Zdanowski, Ignacy Stachura, Aneta Szewczuk, Ewelina Pietras, Adam Stępień
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12589-0
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author Aleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska
Agata Świątek
Agnieszka Synowiec
Robert Zdanowski
Ignacy Stachura
Aneta Szewczuk
Ewelina Pietras
Adam Stępień
author_facet Aleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska
Agata Świątek
Agnieszka Synowiec
Robert Zdanowski
Ignacy Stachura
Aneta Szewczuk
Ewelina Pietras
Adam Stępień
author_sort Aleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The interaction between natural killer group 2 members D and their ligands (NKG2D-NKG2DLs) may play a role in the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Owing to their measurable presence in biofluids, soluble NKG2DLs may serve as potential biomarkers for disease activity. NKG2DL family proteins have been previously investigated in the central nervous system (CNS) or biofluids of MS patients but have typically been analyzed individually rather than collectively. To our knowledge, this was the first study to comprehensively evaluate soluble forms of MHC class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA and MICB), UL16 binding protein 4 (ULBP4), and neurofilament light chains (NFLs) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of relapsing-remitting MS patients, patients with multifocal demyelinating CNS damage (Pre-MS observation group), and a control group. Results revealed comparable levels of NKG2DLs in the serum and CSF between the groups. This suggested that they may not be suitable as diagnostic and predictive markers in MS. However, the analysis confirmed the established significance of NFL, demonstrating its elevated levels in CSF and serum from MS patients compared with other groups, along with a notable correlation between NFL levels in serum and CSF.
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spelling doaj-art-e7ed534dc21042349fe02792d332ea912025-08-20T03:42:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-12589-0The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosisAleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska0Agata Świątek1Agnieszka Synowiec2Robert Zdanowski3Ignacy Stachura4Aneta Szewczuk5Ewelina Pietras6Adam Stępień7Neurology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteFaculty of Medicine, University of WarsawLaboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapy, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteLaboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapy, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteFaculty of Physic, University of WarsawNeurology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteNeurology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteNeurology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine – National Research InstituteAbstract The interaction between natural killer group 2 members D and their ligands (NKG2D-NKG2DLs) may play a role in the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Owing to their measurable presence in biofluids, soluble NKG2DLs may serve as potential biomarkers for disease activity. NKG2DL family proteins have been previously investigated in the central nervous system (CNS) or biofluids of MS patients but have typically been analyzed individually rather than collectively. To our knowledge, this was the first study to comprehensively evaluate soluble forms of MHC class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA and MICB), UL16 binding protein 4 (ULBP4), and neurofilament light chains (NFLs) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of relapsing-remitting MS patients, patients with multifocal demyelinating CNS damage (Pre-MS observation group), and a control group. Results revealed comparable levels of NKG2DLs in the serum and CSF between the groups. This suggested that they may not be suitable as diagnostic and predictive markers in MS. However, the analysis confirmed the established significance of NFL, demonstrating its elevated levels in CSF and serum from MS patients compared with other groups, along with a notable correlation between NFL levels in serum and CSF.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12589-0Multiple sclerosisNatural killer cellsNKG2DNKG2DLsBiomarkersNeurofilament light chains
spellingShingle Aleksandra Pogoda-Wesołowska
Agata Świątek
Agnieszka Synowiec
Robert Zdanowski
Ignacy Stachura
Aneta Szewczuk
Ewelina Pietras
Adam Stępień
The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
Scientific Reports
Multiple sclerosis
Natural killer cells
NKG2D
NKG2DLs
Biomarkers
Neurofilament light chains
title The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
title_full The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
title_fullStr The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
title_short The role of selected NKG2DLs such as MICA, MICB and ULBP4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
title_sort role of selected nkg2dls such as mica micb and ulbp4 as potential markers in multiple sclerosis
topic Multiple sclerosis
Natural killer cells
NKG2D
NKG2DLs
Biomarkers
Neurofilament light chains
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12589-0
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