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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences BDNF-AS biomarker in multiple sclerosis

A B C

D E

Figure 4. Correlation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-antisense (BDNF-AS) expression with (A) age, (B) age at onset, (C) Expanded Disability
Status Scale (EDSS), (D) multiple sclerosis (MS) duration, and (E) incidence of relapses in the preceding 3 years. The four-parametric logistic (4PL)
model was used to fit the data, and Spearman’s test was applied to investigate the non-parametric correlation parameters. BDNF-AS expression had a
moderately positive and significant correlation with age at onset of MS (r = 0.384, P < 0.01).
Notes: P: P-value; r: Correlation coefficient.

to validate the generalizability of these findings across investigations in future studies could significantly enhance
diverse populations. In addition, the variation in treatment our understanding of the interplay between BDNF and
regimens among patients with different MS subtypes BDNF-AS in MS pathophysiology and progression.
raises intriguing questions about the potential impact of
therapeutic approaches on BDNF-AS expression. This While these considerations represent opportunities
question highlights the importance of future investigations for further exploration rather than limitations, they
to examine the interplay between treatment modalities and underscore the need for continued research to build upon
lncRNA expression. the foundation established by our study.

While this study highlights the downregulation 6. Conclusion
of BDNF-AS across various MS subtypes, the precise The expression of BDNF-AS has been identified as a
mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain potential biomarker for the diagnosis of MS, demonstrating
incompletely understood. Of particular interest is the
marked elevation of BDNF-AS expression in SPMS high specificity and sensitivity through its downregulation
compared to other groups, particularly PPMS, which raises in the serum of MS patients. Furthermore, our findings
important questions regarding its role in disease progression. suggest that elevated levels of BDNF-AS are associated
Although limited funding constrained our ability to explore with disease progression in secondary progressive MS,
this aspect further, future studies investigating these indicating that targeting the downregulation of this
differences could yield critical insights into the molecular lncRNA could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy
pathways and key regulatory mechanisms driving MS for MS. While these results are promising, further studies
pathophysiology and progression. Finally, measuring with larger sample sizes and across various MS subtypes
BDNF protein levels alongside BDNF-AS expression are necessary. Future research should also investigate the
would offer a more comprehensive understanding of expression of BDNF-AS in cell cultures, as well as brain and
the regulatory network. Although financial constraints spinal cord samples from MS patients, to better understand
precluded this aspect of the study, we have addressed this its relationship with BDNF protein in CNS lesions and to
limitation by integrating data from existing literature to gain deeper insights into disease mechanisms and potential
contextualize our findings (Section 4). Expanding such treatment options.

Volume 8 Issue 1 (2025) 97 doi: 10.36922/itps.4407