Investigation of Telomere Length in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
Project no. 31994 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2023
Summary
<p>Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is one of the demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. The discovery of antibodies against aquaporin-4 (<em>AQP-4</em>) has significantly advanced the understanding of the disease's etiopathogenesis. However, the pathophysiology of NMOSD is still not fully elucidated. Identifying a biomarker that can shed light on the disease pathophysiology may facilitate disease monitoring and enable the discovery of novel therapeutic agents.</p><p>The aim of this study is to investigate inflammatory interleukins (IL-6, IL-17A), the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a key structural protein of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in NMOSD patients. By evaluating the levels of these immunological markers and telomere length, we aimed to establish a link to the fundamental mechanisms of demyelinating diseases.</p><p>Serum samples from 29 NMOSD patients diagnosed at Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, and 16 healthy controls were analyzed. Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-17A) and GFAP levels were measured using the ELISA method. Peripheral blood DNA extraction was performed, and leukocyte telomere length was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). This project aimed to identify new molecular mechanisms to develop novel strategies that could support the diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD.</p><p>Compared to the control group, patients who were <em>AQP-4</em>-IgG positive exhibited significantly shorter leukocyte telomere lengths. Moreover, GFAP, IL-6, and IL-17A levels were found to be normal but lower than those in the control group.</p><p>In conclusion, these findings support the relationship between telomere length and neurodegenerative diseases in the literature. The normal levels of GFAP, IL-6, and IL-17A are attributed to the immunomodulatory treatments received by the patients.</p>