Serum FAM19A5 in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Can it be a new biomarker representing clinical status?

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) targets astrocytes and elevates the levels of astrocyte-injury markers during attacks. FAM19A5, involved in reactive gliosis, is secreted by reactive astrocytes following central nervous system (CNS) damage.

Objective: To investigate the significance of serum FAM19A5 in patients with NMOSD.

Methods: We collected clinical data and sera of 199 patients from 11 hospitals over 21 months. FAM19A5 levels were compared among three groups: NMOSD with positive anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (NMOSD-AQP4), other CNS demyelinating disease, and healthy controls.

Results: The median serum FAM19A5 level was higher in the NMOSD-AQP4 (4.90 ng/mL (3.95, 5.79)) than in the other CNS demyelinating (2.35 ng/mL (1.83, 4.07),  < 0.001) or healthy control (1.02 ng/mL (0.92, 1.14),  < 0.001) groups. There were significant differences in the median serum FAM19A5 levels between the attack and remission periods (5.89 ng/mL (5.18, 6.98); 4.40 ng/mL (2.72, 5.13),  < 0.001) in the NMOSD-AQP4 group. Sampling during an attack ( < 0.001) and number of past attacks ( = 0.010) were independently associated with increased serum FAM19A5.

Conclusion: Serum FAM19A5 was higher in patients with NMOSD-AQP4 and correlated with clinical characteristics. Thus, serum FAM19A5 may be a novel clinical biomarker for NMOSD-AQP4.