Serum Glial-Related Biomarkers Show Distinct Contributions to Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes in Early Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between serum levels of glial-related biomarkers, including glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma B (GPNMB), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), galectin-3, serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 3 (SERPINA3), chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1), and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) and 2 (CHI3L2), and the presence of paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) and the risk of progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in patients with a first demyelinating event. METHODS: PRLs were identified using 3T susceptibility-based imaging. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models assessed the association between biomarker levels and the presence of PRLs at baseline. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models investigated the association between biomarker levels and risk of PIRA during follow-up. sTREM2 and CHI3L1 levels were measured using single molecule array assays, whereas levels of the remaining biomarkers were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest distinct contributions of glial-related biomarkers to radiologic and clinical outcomes in early multiple sclerosis. Validation in independent cohorts will be required before their value as blood prognostic biomarkers can be established.