Fetuin-A, a CSF biomarker of disease activity, influences EAE onset and disease course

Fetuin-A (-2-HSglycoprotein) is a member of the cystatin super family of protease inhibitors. Fetuin-A is an abundant serum protein known to multiple functions, including animmune regulatory function. In a previous study aimed at the discovery of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS), we identified elevated Fetuin-A levels in CSF of secondary progressive MS patients. Increased Fetuin-A correlated with disease activity and therapeutic response to natalizumab, suggesting its utility as a biomarker of active central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Whether or not Fetuin-A simply represents blood brain barrier breakdown, or plays an active pro-inflammatory role in MS remains unknown.