rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1146-1148 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.040980
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

Optic neuritis: chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligands

  1. T L Sørensen,
  2. H Roed,
  3. F Sellebjerg
  1. The MS Clinic, Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
  1. Correspondence to: T L Sørensen Department of Ophthalmology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, 2720 Herlev, Denmark; torbenlsdadlnet.dk
  • Accepted 29 February 2004

Abstract

Aim: To study the involvement of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligands (CXCL9/Mig, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL11/ITAC) in optic neuritis (ON).

Methods: 30 patients with ON and 10 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls were included. The patients underwent a phlebotomy, lumbar puncture, and MRI scan. CXCR3 expression was studied on blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T cells by flow cytometry. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were measured in plasma and CSF by ELISA.

Results: CSF concentrations of CXCL10, but not of CXCL9 and CXCL11, were significantly higher in ON patients than in controls. CSF concentrations of CXCL10 correlated with the CSF leucocyte count in ON patients, and CXCR3 expressing cells were significantly enriched in the CSF.

Conclusion: These data show that the CSF concentration of the CXCR3 ligand CXCL10 is selectively increased in CSF from ON patients, and CXCR3 positive cells are recruited to the subarachnoid space.

Footnotes

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.