Expressive meaning of the inducible co-stimulator molecule/inducible co-stimulator ligand in the peripheral blood of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients

Abstract

Objective To observe and discuss the clinical significance of the expression of inducible co-stimulator molecule (ICOS) induced by T-cell in peripheral blood of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. Methods Flow cytometry was applied to detect the expression of ICOS on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood of 13 NMOSD patients, 13 longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) patients, 13 optic neuritis (ON) patients and 16 healthy controls in the First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from April 2015 to April 2016. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze the levels of soluble ICOS in plasma samples from NMOSD, LETM, ON patients and healthy controls. Results The level of ICOS from the peripheral blood of NMOSD patients (26.37%±3.48%)was significantly higher than that from LETM (8.04%±2.14%, t=4.50, P<0.01), ON patients (10.51%±2.05%, t=3.93, P<0.01) and healthy controls (0.95%±0.32%, t=7.31, P<0.01). However, the level of soluble ICOS from NMOSD patients ((10.65±2.86) pg/ml) was lower than that from the other 3 groups (LETM (29.31±8.52) pg/ml, t=2.82, P<0.01; ON (21.71±4.14) pg/ml, t=3.13, P<0.01; healthy controls(22.69±4.14)pg/ml, t=3.39, P<0.01). Conclusion The ICOS/ICOS ligand pathway takes part in the earlier stage of the NMOSD pathological process, and it is essential in immune response. Key words: Neuromyelitis optica; Autoimmune diseases; Immunity, cellular