Expression Profile of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Plasma Interleukin-22 Level in Multiple Sclerosis

Elbatal, Heba M.; Ibrahim, Karim A.A.; Mostafa, Zeinab A.I; Fouad, Amr M.; Hegab, Asmaa S.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2025.352611.1441

Expression Profile of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Plasma Interleukin-22 Level in Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

¹ Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

² Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

10.21608/ejmm.2025.352611.1441

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting neurodegenerative disorder that primarily impacts young adults. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome play critical roles in host innate immunity and have been linked to several autoimmune diseases. Objectives: The objectives of our work are to assess the plasma levels of IL-22 and the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in MS patients versus healthy controls. Furthermore, to correlate the level of plasma IL-22 and NLRP3 inflammasome expression in MS patients. Methodology: The study examined 40 patients with MS and 40 matched healthy controls. It measured plasma IL-22 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assessed NLRP3 expression through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Patients with MS exhibited markedly elevated levels of plasma IL-22 (P < 0.0001) and a significantly elevated relative expression of NLRP3 (P < 0.0001). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between plasma IL-22 and NLRP3 relative expression (r = 0.45, P = 0.003). Also, ssignificant positive correlations were noted between plasma IL-22 level and both the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and frequency of relapses in the past year (r = 0.49, 0.55, P-values = 0.001, 0.0002 respectively). Similarly, EDSS and frequency of relapses in the past year were positively correlated with NLRP3 relative expression (r = 0.4, 0.69, P-values = 0.01, < 0.00001 respectively). Conclusion: Both IL-22 and NLRP3 inflammasome could be encouraging prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for MS.

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