Distinct intrathecal inflammatory signatures following relapse and anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in multiple sclerosis

Background: The role of vaccine-mediated inflammation in exacerbating multiple sclerosis (MS) is a matter of debate. Objective: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammation associated with MS relapses or anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: We dosed CSF cytokines in 97 unvaccinated RRMS patients with clinical relapse within the last 100 days. In addition, we enrolled 29 stable RRMS and 24 control patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine within the last 100 days. Results: In RRMS patients, a negative association was found between relapse distance and the CSF concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 (beta = −0.265, p = 0.016), IL-6 (beta = −0.284, p = 0.01), and IL-17 (beta = −0.224, p = 0.044). Conversely, vaccine distance positively correlated with a different set of cytokines including IL-12 (beta = 0.576, p = 0.002), IL-13 (beta = 0.432, p = 0.027), and IL-1ra (beta = 0.387, p = 0.05). These associations were significant also considering other clinical characteristics. No significant associations emerged between vaccine distance and CSF molecules in the control group. Conclusion: Vaccine for COVID-19 induces a central inflammatory response in RRMS patients that is qualitatively different from that associated with disease relapse.