Exploring the Role of Neurofilament Light Chain and Some Non-coding RNAs in Different Demyelinating Diseases

Samir, Heba; Hegazy, Mohamed I.; Ali, Sahar A.; Taha, Heba

doi:10.21608/aprh.2025.411048.1332

Exploring the Role of Neurofilament Light Chain and Some Non-coding RNAs in Different Demyelinating Diseases

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Administrator at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy,Helwan University

² Professor at Neurology Department-Faculty of Medicine-Cairo University

³ Professor at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Pharmacy,Helwan University

⁴ Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University

10.21608/aprh.2025.411048.1332

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) are demyelinating diseases. Even though they both share many clinical characteristics, their treatments may vary because most MS-modifying medications are not only ineffective for NMO but also have the potential to exacerbate the condition. Thus, it is better to investigate novel biomarkers that could help differentiate between them. Methods: Blood samples were collected from all participants; serum was separated for determination of NfL. While total RNA was extracted from the whole blood for cDNA synthesis, qPCR was performed and the expression levels of miR-7and ciRS-7 were calculated. Results: Neurofilament light chain levels (NfL) were significantly elevated only in MS patients and SP patients in comparison to healthy control group (P<0.05 and P<0.005 respectively), and in comparison, to NMO group (P<0.05 and P<0.005 respectively), while decreased in NMO group compared to healthy controls group. ROC curve analysis indicated that NfL could distinguish between SP and healthy control (AUC of 0.936 (p ˂ 0.0001)), NMO (AUC of 0.93 (p ˂ 0.0001)) and RR (AUC of 0.81 (p ˂ 0.001)). Also, differentiating NMO from MS by AUC of 0.752 (p ˂ 0.01). CiRS-7 achieved significant upregulation in RR compared to control group (p˂0.05) and between NMO and RR(p˂0.05). ROC curve analysis for ciRS-7 showed AUC of RR and healthy controls (p ˂ 0.05, AUC = 0.619) and between NMO and RR (p ˂ 0.05, AUC = 0.635). The results showed non-significant correlations between miR-7, ciRS-7 expressions and NfL level. Conclusion: The present studies revealed the possibility of using NfL as diagnostic and monitoring tool for MS and suggested that NfL may serve as a more reliable biomarker for distinguishing between MS and NMO and improving diagnostic precision.

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