Changes of CXCL12, CXCL14 and PDGF levels in the brain of patients with idiopathic demyelinating optic neuritis and neuromyelitis optica

• Remyelination is modulated by chemokines in the course of demyelinating diseases.
• Chemokines PDGF, CXCL12 and CXCL14 in the brain were down regulated in optic neuritis.
• Severe neuritis, neuromyelitis optica, was associated with much lower brain chemokines.

The CXC chemokines (CXC-motif ligand 12 and CXC-motif ligand 14) and platelet-derived growth factor are suggested to modulate remyelination in the course of many demyelinating diseases. The present study compared the difference in the brain levels of these chemokines between patients with idiopathic demyelinating optic neuritis (IDON) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) by measuring their concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Our data indicate that the prognosis of neuritis depends on the remyelinating process that is impaired due to decreased chemokines. The much lower levels of chemokines would specifically indicate the severe neuritis, such as NMO.