Serum sAPO-1/Fas levels in multiple sclerosis

Soluble APO-1 (sAPO-1) may prevent apoptosis of lymphocytes induced by activation of the APO-1/Fas receptor. Objectives. To determine sAPO-1 levels in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls in order to investigate if abnormal lymphocyte apoptosis occurs in this disease. Methods. Serum samples from patients with MS, other neurological diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. We did not detect differences in mean serum sAPO-1 levels between patients with multiple sclerosis and controls. Conclusions. This preliminary study suggests that resistance of peripheral blood lymphocytes to apoptosis mediated by sAPO-1 is not likely to be a major factor in the development of autoreactive cells in MS.