FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves dysregulation of innate immune cells including monocytes, especially in progressive MS. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are essential for fatty acid transport and metabolism in multiple cell types. FABP7, a brain-FABP, maintains metabolic function in astr...

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Main Authors: Rohit Patel, Devin King, Brenna LaBarre, Hrishikesh Lokhande, Danielle Caefer, Johnna F. Varghese, Keturah Warner, Marc A. Bouffard, Shrishti Saxena, Alena Zhirova, Rohit Bakshi, Tanuja Chitnis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60747-9
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author Rohit Patel
Devin King
Brenna LaBarre
Hrishikesh Lokhande
Danielle Caefer
Johnna F. Varghese
Keturah Warner
Marc A. Bouffard
Shrishti Saxena
Alena Zhirova
Rohit Bakshi
Tanuja Chitnis
author_facet Rohit Patel
Devin King
Brenna LaBarre
Hrishikesh Lokhande
Danielle Caefer
Johnna F. Varghese
Keturah Warner
Marc A. Bouffard
Shrishti Saxena
Alena Zhirova
Rohit Bakshi
Tanuja Chitnis
author_sort Rohit Patel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves dysregulation of innate immune cells including monocytes, especially in progressive MS. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are essential for fatty acid transport and metabolism in multiple cell types. FABP7, a brain-FABP, maintains metabolic function in astrocytes and neural stem cells, but the effect of FABP7 on monocytes is unknown. Here we find elevated levels of FABP7 in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with secondary progressive MS. Elevated serum FABP7 levels positively correlate with higher disability scores, brain lesion volumes, and lower brain volumes. FABP7 levels are increased in astrocytes from MS postmortem brain lesion. Mechanistically, in vitro treatment of FABP7 induces CD16, CD80 and IL-1β expression in monocytes via increased glycolysis. FABP7-induced gene expression reflects enhanced inflammation, chemotaxis and glucose metabolism in monocytes. In conclusion, we find that FABP7 induces pro-inflammatory profiles in monocytes, correlates with disability and represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for progressive MS.
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spelling doaj-art-3ab2cdf99f554d44b51acf6aeae2cf862025-08-20T03:45:34ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111810.1038/s41467-025-60747-9FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switchRohit Patel0Devin King1Brenna LaBarre2Hrishikesh Lokhande3Danielle Caefer4Johnna F. Varghese5Keturah Warner6Marc A. Bouffard7Shrishti Saxena8Alena Zhirova9Rohit Bakshi10Tanuja Chitnis11Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Mass General BrighamAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAnn Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s HospitalAbstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves dysregulation of innate immune cells including monocytes, especially in progressive MS. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are essential for fatty acid transport and metabolism in multiple cell types. FABP7, a brain-FABP, maintains metabolic function in astrocytes and neural stem cells, but the effect of FABP7 on monocytes is unknown. Here we find elevated levels of FABP7 in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with secondary progressive MS. Elevated serum FABP7 levels positively correlate with higher disability scores, brain lesion volumes, and lower brain volumes. FABP7 levels are increased in astrocytes from MS postmortem brain lesion. Mechanistically, in vitro treatment of FABP7 induces CD16, CD80 and IL-1β expression in monocytes via increased glycolysis. FABP7-induced gene expression reflects enhanced inflammation, chemotaxis and glucose metabolism in monocytes. In conclusion, we find that FABP7 induces pro-inflammatory profiles in monocytes, correlates with disability and represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for progressive MS.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60747-9
spellingShingle Rohit Patel
Devin King
Brenna LaBarre
Hrishikesh Lokhande
Danielle Caefer
Johnna F. Varghese
Keturah Warner
Marc A. Bouffard
Shrishti Saxena
Alena Zhirova
Rohit Bakshi
Tanuja Chitnis
FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
Nature Communications
title FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
title_full FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
title_fullStr FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
title_full_unstemmed FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
title_short FABP7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
title_sort fabp7 is increased in progressive multiple sclerosis and induces a pro inflammatory phenotype in monocytes through a glycolytic switch
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60747-9
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