IL-23 plasma level measurement in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients compared to healthy subjects.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with unknown etiology and variable clinical evolution. Interleukin-23 (IL-23), a member of the IL-12 cytokine family is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of the IL-12p40 subunit, and with a novel p19 subunit, its ability to enhance the expansion of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells indicates the responsibility for many of the inflammatory autoimmune responses.

Objective: The objective of the project is to measure IL-23 level in plasma of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in comparison with healthy control subjects.

Methods: In a case-control study, plasma was collected from healthy subjects as control group (n = 40) and patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (n = 40). The plasma level of IL-23 was assessed by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (Ver. 16).

Results: Plasma level of IL-23 in MS patients was significantly increased compared to control subjects (p Value < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our findings revealed the increased IL-23 level in patients' group. In conclusion, the inhibition of IL-23 might be a novel and promising therapeutic strategy, especially in the therapy of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. IL-23 plays a pivotal role in development of MS and might be a specific marker and therapeutic target for MS.