Diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis
Washington University in St. Louis
posted on 09/09/2008
Investigators at Washington University have demonstrated that the pathological expression and redistribution of a known chemokine, CXCL12, at the blood-brain barrier occurs during MS and correlates with the severity of disease. The investigators also found that this aberrant CXCL12 localization in central nervous system tissues from MS patients was associated with an increase in the levels of its activated receptor, phosphorylated CXCR4, as detected by an antibody specific for the activated form of the chemokine receptor. In contrast, tissue samples from patients with no history of MS were overall negative for activated receptor.
Given the frequency with which physicians test for MS and the need for refined diagnostics, detection of activated CXCR4 could provide a specific biomarker for diagnosing and/or monitoring the progression of MS.
Suggested Uses
Multiple Sclerosis diagnostic tool
Monitor progression of and/or response to therapy in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
File Number: 007521
Disease: Central Nervous System
This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Erin Brosnahan at Washington University in St. Louis for more information.
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