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From the Research
Relationship Between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Antiphospholipid Syndrome
The relationship between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and antiphospholipid syndrome is complex and has been the subject of several studies.
- MS is a chronic, multifactorial, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, while antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity, and fetal loss caused by pathogenic autoantibodies directed against phospholipids and phospholipid-cofactors 1.
- Some studies have found a significant association between MS and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), with aPL occurring in MS patients at a higher frequency than in healthy controls 2, 3.
- The presence of aPL in MS patients has been speculated to contribute to MS pathogenesis, particularly in relation to thrombotic phenomena 2, 4.
- However, not all studies have found a significant association between MS and aPL, with one study finding no significant level of antiphospholipid antibodies in MS patients 5.
Clinical Features and Diagnostic Challenges
- MS and antiphospholipid syndrome can share common clinical features, such as venous thromboembolism, making diagnosis challenging 1.
- The prevalence of aPL in MS patients has been reported to range from 2% to 88%, with predominant IgM isotype and suggesting worse MS prognosis 1.
- The pathophysiological mechanisms and events responsible for the association between MS and aPL are not fully understood and require further investigation 4, 1.
Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Approaches
- The identification of anti-DI antibodies in MS patients may prove valuable as a potential risk factor of thromboembolic phenomena in MS 2.
- Understanding the intracellular mechanism of aPL-mediated astrocyte activation may help to establish new therapeutic approaches, such as selective inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, to control MS activity or possible thrombotic states 4.