Gene expression profiles of TNF-like cytokine 1A (TL1A) and its receptors death receptor 3 (DR3) and decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) in multiple sclerosis

TL1A/DR3/DcR3 pathway is an important mediator of inflammatory responses and contributes to the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we analysed PBMC gene expression of these molecules in 30 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, 8 secondary progressive MS (SPMS), 9 primary progressive MS (PPMS), 11 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients, and 16 healthy controls (HCs), to evaluate their biomarker potential in MS. The results showed significant decrease in TL1A expression in RRMS compared to other study groups. TL1A as a marker of inflammation, we found its higher expression among treatment näive RRMS patients as compared to HCs and among patients who were treated with DMTs. Moreover, TL1A expression was found to be associated with the clinical and MRI findings of MS patients suggesting its possible involvement in the establishment or preservation of immune system homeostasis or in the regulation of inflammatory activity. Taken together, these findings suggest the TL1A should be evaluated further for its potential as a candidate biomarker of inflammatory activity and the marker of therapeutic response to immunomodulatory treatments in MS. [Display omitted] •DR3, DcR3, and TL1A gene expressions were determined in PBMC obtained from MS patients.•RRMS patients had decreased TL1A expression levels as compared to HCs but not as compared to other MS groups and CIS.•Only the treatment naïve RRMS patients showed increased TL1A expression as compared to HCs and patients treated with DMTs.•TL1A expression correlated with clinical and MRI outcome measures of MS patients.•TL1A holds the potential as a candidate biomarker of inflammatory activity and the therapeutic response to DMTs in MS.