Cerebrospinal fluid apolipoprotein E and phospholipid transfer protein activity are reduced in multiple sclerosis; relationships with the brain MRI and CSF lipid variables.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity, lipids, total tau and beta amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42) were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from controls (n=38) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (n=91). ApoE and PLTP activity were significantly reduced in MS compared to non-inflammatory disease controls (NINDC; p<0.05). In NINDC and MS, apoE correlated with PLTP activity (rs=0.399 and 0.591, respectively), Aβ42 (rs= 0.609 and 0.483, respectively), and total tau (rs=0.748 and 0.380, respectively; all p<0.05). CSF apoE and PLTP significantly contributed to the variance of the normalized brain volume (NBV) and T2 lesion volume in MS (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). ApoE correlated with CSF cholesterol and 24-hydroxycholesterol in all groups; PLTP activity correlated with CSF cholesterol in controls (p<0.05).