Levels of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 in CSF are not a valuable biomarker for multiple sclerosis

Friend or enemy? Review of 17β-HSD10 and its role in human health or disease

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD10) is a multifunctional human enzyme with important roles both as a structural component and also as a catalyst of many metabolic pathways. This mitochondrial enzyme has important functions in the metabolism, development and aging of the neural system, where it is involved in the homeostasis of neurosteroids, especially in regard to estradiol, changes in which make it an essential part of neurodegenerative pathology. These roles therefore, indicate that 17β-HSD10 may be a possible druggable target for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and in hormone-dependent cancer. The objective of this review was to provide a summary about physiological functions and pathological roles of 17β-HSD10 and the modulators of its activity.

Correlation between auto/mitophagic processes and magnetic resonance imaging activity in multiple sclerosis patients

Background

An alteration of autophagy and mitophagy, two highly conserved lysosome-dependent degradation pathways involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, has been associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To search the level of autophagy-related 5 (ATG5) and Parkin proteins, as markers of autophagy and mitophagy respectively, and lactate in a cohort of MS patients.

Methods

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 60 MS patients were analyzed: 30 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of disease activity, gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent positive (Gd+), and 30 without MRI evidence of disease activity (Gd−). ATG5, Parkin, and lactate were measured using commercially available products.

Results and conclusions

Serum levels of ATG5, Parkin, and lactate were more elevated in Gd+ than in Gd− MS patients (p < 0.0001), and CSF concentrations of ATG5 and Parkin were greater in Gd+ than in Gd− MS (p < 0.0001). Our results demonstrated that molecular markers of autophagy and mitophagy are increased in CSF of MS patients during the active phases of the disease and that these catabolic markers, together with lactate, are also remarkably augmented in blood suggesting a role of these processes in MS pathogenesis and the possible use of these molecules as biomarkers of disease activity.