SHORT PAPER:Correlation of Midkine Serum Level with Pro- and Anti-Inflamatory Cytokines in Multiple Sclerosis

Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor with promoting effects in inflammatory responses through enhancing leukocytes migration. To study the correlation between MK serum levels and concentration of inflammatory cytokines in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. We evaluated the MK level and its relationship with inflammatory cytokines (IL-17 and IL-23) and antiinflammatory ones (IL-10 and TGF-β) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The serum concentrations of MK and cytokines were assessed by ELISA in 32 MS patients in comparison with 32 healthy subjects. Our data showed that the MK concentration in MS patients is lower than healthy controls (341.15 ± 40.71 Pg/ml vs. 620.15 ± 98.61 Pg/ml, respectively, p=0.015). We also observed a significant decrease in IL-10, IL-23, and TGF-β cytokine levels in MS patients. There was a significant correlation between MK and IL-23 concentrations in our study (r = +0.829, p≤ 0.001). These results confirm a role for MK in inflammatory reactions in MS.