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Wang KKW, Barton DJ, McQuillan LE, Kobeissy F, Cai G, Xu H, Yang Z, Trifilio E, Williamson JB, Rubenstein R, Robertson CS, Wagner AK. Parallel Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum Temporal Profile Assessment of Axonal Injury Biomarkers Neurofilament-Light Chain and Phosphorylated Neurofilament-Heavy Chain: Associations With Patient Outcome in Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2024; 41:1609-1627. [PMID: 38588256 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofilament-light chain (NF-L) and phosphorylated neurofilament-heavy chain (pNF-H) are axonal proteins that have been reported as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, detailed temporal profiles for these proteins in blood, and interrelationships in the acute and chronic time periods post-TBI have not been established. Our objectives were: 1) to characterize acute-to-chronic serum NF-L and pNF-H profiles after moderate-severe TBI, as well as acute cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels; 2) to evaluate CSF and serum NF-L and pNF-H associations with each other; and 3) to assess biomarker associations with global patient outcome using both the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). In this multi-cohort study, we measured serum and CSF NF-L and pNF-H levels in samples collected from two clinical cohorts (University of Pittsburgh [UPITT] and Baylor College of Medicine [BCM]) of individuals with moderate-severe TBI. The UPITT cohort includes 279 subjects from an observational cohort study; we obtained serum (n = 277 unique subjects) and CSF (n = 95 unique subjects) daily for 1 week, and serum every 2 weeks for 6 months. The BCM cohort included 103 subjects from a previous randomized clinical trial of erythropoietin and blood transfusion threshold after severe TBI, which showed no effect on neurological outcome between treatment arms; serum (n = 99 unique subjects) and CSF (n = 54 unique subjects) NF-L and pNF-H levels were measured at least daily during Days (D) 0-10 post-injury. GOS-E and DRS were assessed at 6 months (both cohorts) and 12 months (UPITT cohort only). Results show serum NF-L and pNF-H gradually rise during the first 10 days and peak at D20-30 post-injury. In the UPITT cohort, acute (D0-6) NF-L and pNF-H levels correlate within CSF and serum (Spearman r = 0.44-0.48; p < 0.05). In the UPITT cohort, acute NF-L CSF and serum levels, as well as chronic (Months [M]2-6) serum NF-L levels, were higher among individuals with unfavorable GOS-E and worse DRS at 12 months (p < 0.05, all comparisons). In the BCM cohort, higher acute serum NF-L levels were also associated with unfavorable GOS-E. Higher pNF-H serum concentrations (D0-6 and M2-6), but not CSF pNF-H, were associated with unfavorable GOS-E and worse DRS (p < 0.05, all comparisons) in the UPITT cohort. Relationships between biomarker levels and favorable outcome persisted after controlling for age, sex, and Glasgow Coma Scale. This study shows for the first time that serum levels of NF-L and pNF-H peak at D20-30 post-TBI. Serum NF-L levels, and to a lesser extent pNF-H levels, are robustly associated with global patient outcomes and disability after moderate-severe TBI. Further studies on clinical utility as prognosis and treatment-response indicators are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K W Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics and Biomarkers, Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David J Barton
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leah E McQuillan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics and Biomarkers, Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Guangzheng Cai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics and Biomarkers, Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Haiyan Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Zhihui Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Erin Trifilio
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John B Williamson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Richard Rubenstein
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology/Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | | | - Amy K Wagner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Trifilio E, Bottari S, McQuillan LE, Barton DJ, Lamb DG, Robertson C, Rubenstein R, Wang KK, Wagner AK, Williamson JB. Temporal Profile of Serum Neurofilament Light (NF-L) and Heavy (pNF-H) Level Associations With 6-Month Cognitive Performance in Patients With Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2024:00001199-990000000-00155. [PMID: 38758056 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identification of biomarkers of cognitive recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI) will inform care and improve outcomes. This study assessed the utility of neurofilament (NF-L and pNF-H), a marker of neuronal injury, informing cognitive performance following moderate-to-severe TBI (msTBI). SETTING Level 1 trauma center and outpatient via postdischarge follow-up. PARTICIPANTS N = 94. Inclusion criteria: Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 13 or 13-15 with clinical evidence of moderate-to-severe injury traumatic brain injury on clinical imaging. Exclusion criteria: neurodegenerative condition, brain death within 3 days after injury. DESIGN Prospective observational study. Blood samples were collected at several time points post-injury. Cognitive testing was completed at 6 months post-injury. MAIN MEASURES Serum NF-L (Human Neurology 4-Plex B) pNF-H (SR-X) as measured by SIMOA Quanterix assay. Divided into 3 categorical time points at days post-injury (DPI): 0-15 DPI, 16-90 DPI, and >90 DPI. Cognitive composite comprised executive functioning measures derived from 3 standardized neuropsychological tests (eg, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System: Verbal Fluency, California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Third Edition). RESULTS pNF-H at 16-90 DPI was associated with cognitive outcomes including a cognitive-executive composite score at 6 months (β = -.430, t34 = -3.190, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that "subacute" elevation of serum pNF-H levels may be associated with protracted/poor cognitive recovery from msTBI and may be a target for intervention. Interpretation is limited by small sample size and including only those who were able to complete cognitive testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Trifilio
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC), Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, Florida (Drs Trifilio, Lamb, Wang, and Williamson and Ms Bottari); Department of Clinical and Health Psychology (Drs Trifilio and Williamson and Ms Bottari), College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Departments of Emergency Medicine (Dr Wang) and Psychiatry (Drs Lamb and Williamson), College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas (Dr Robertson); Department of Neurology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York (Dr Rubenstein); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Ms McQuillan and Dr Wagner), Department of Emergency Medicine (Dr Barton), Department of Neuroscience (Dr Wagner), Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Dr Wagner), and Safar Center for Resuscitation Research (Dr Wagner); University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics & Biomarkers (CNMB), Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Wang)
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Simovic MO, Yang Z, Jordan BS, Fraker TL, Cancio TS, Lucas ML, Cancio LC, Li Y. Immunopathological Alterations after Blast Injury and Hemorrhage in a Swine Model of Prolonged Damage Control Resuscitation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087494. [PMID: 37108656 PMCID: PMC10139120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trauma-related hemorrhagic shock (HS) remains a leading cause of death among military and civilian trauma patients. We have previously shown that administration of complement and HMGB1 inhibitors attenuate morbidity and mortality 24 h after injury in a rat model of blast injury (BI) and HS. To further validate these results, this study aimed to develop a swine model and evaluate BI+HS-induced pathophysiology. Anesthetized Yucatan minipigs underwent combined BI and volume-controlled hemorrhage. After 30 min of shock, animals received an intravenous bolus of PlasmaLyte A and a continuous PlasmaLyte A infusion. The survival rate was 80% (4/5), and the non-survivor expired 72 min post-BI. Circulating organ-functional biomarkers, inflammatory biomarkers, histopathological evaluation, and CT scans indicated evidence of multiple-organ damage, systemic innate immunological activation, and local tissue inflammation in the injured animals. Interestingly, a rapid and dramatic increase in plasma levels of HMGB1 and C3a and markedly early myocarditis and encephalitis were associated with early death post-BI+HS. This study suggests that this model reflects the immunopathological alterations of polytrauma in humans during shock and prolonged damage control resuscitation. This experimental protocol could be helpful in the assessment of immunological damage control resuscitation approaches during the prolonged care of warfighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milomir O Simovic
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
| | - Zhangsheng Yang
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Bryan S Jordan
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Tamara L Fraker
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
| | - Tomas S Cancio
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Michael L Lucas
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Leopoldo C Cancio
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
| | - Yansong Li
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA
- The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
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Petzold A. The 2022 Lady Estelle Wolfson lectureship on neurofilaments. J Neurochem 2022; 163:179-219. [PMID: 35950263 PMCID: PMC9826399 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilament proteins (Nf) have been validated and established as a reliable body fluid biomarker for neurodegenerative pathology. This review covers seven Nf isoforms, Nf light (NfL), two splicing variants of Nf medium (NfM), two splicing variants of Nf heavy (NfH),α -internexin (INA) and peripherin (PRPH). The genetic and epigenetic aspects of Nf are discussed as relevant for neurodegenerative diseases and oncology. The comprehensive list of mutations for all Nf isoforms covers Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Charcot-Marie Tooth disease, Spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Next, emphasis is given to the expanding field of post-translational modifications (PTM) of the Nf amino acid residues. Protein structural aspects are reviewed alongside PTMs causing neurodegenerative pathology and human autoimmunity. Molecular visualisations of NF PTMs, assembly and stoichiometry make use of Alphafold2 modelling. The implications for Nf function on the cellular level and axonal transport are discussed. Neurofilament aggregate formation and proteolytic breakdown are reviewed as relevant for biomarker tests and disease. Likewise, Nf stoichiometry is reviewed with regard to in vitro experiments and as a compensatory mechanism in neurodegeneration. The review of Nf across a spectrum of 87 diseases from all parts of medicine is followed by a critical appraisal of 33 meta-analyses on Nf body fluid levels. The review concludes with considerations for clinical trial design and an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Petzold
- Department of NeurodegenerationQueen Square Insitute of Neurology, UCLLondonUK
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Mak G, Menon S, Lu JQ. Neurofilaments in neurologic disorders and beyond. J Neurol Sci 2022; 441:120380. [PMID: 36027641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many neurologic diseases can initially present as a diagnostic challenge and even when a diagnosis is made, monitoring of disease activity, progression and response to therapy may be limited with existing clinical and paraclinical assessments. As such, the identification of disease specific biomarkers provides a promising avenue by which diseases can be effectively diagnosed, monitored and used as a prognostic indicator for long-term outcomes. Neurofilaments are an integral component of the neuronal cytoskeleton, where assessment of neurofilaments in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and diseased tissue has been shown to have value in providing diagnostic clarity, monitoring disease activity, tracking progression and treatment efficacy, as well as lending prognostic insight into long-term outcomes. As such, this review attempts to provide a glimpse into the structure and function of neurofilaments, their role in various neurologic and non-neurologic disorders, including uncommon conditions with recent knowledge of neurofilament-related pathology, as well as their applicability in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Mak
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suresh Menon
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jian-Qiang Lu
- McMaster University, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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