TY - JOUR SN - 0014-4886 N2 - Aims: Axonal pathology extends to the axonal cytoarchitecture leaving its Signature on axoskeletal proteins. This study investigated whether neurofilament (NfH) phosphorylation would relate to the dynamics of axonal pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS).Methods: NfH phosphoforms (SM132, SM134, SM135) were quantified by ELISA from microdissected samples of control and MS brain and spinal cord. Individual axons were analysed by electron microscopy, densitometrically and morphologically in adjacent tissue sections. Experiments were Carried Out pre- and post enzymatic dephosphorylation.Results: In control tissue a rostro-caudal gradient of NfH indicated an increase in axonal density from the brain gray matter towards the spinal cord. The highest levels of phosphorylated and hyperphosphorylated NfH were found in acute lesions of brain and spinal cord, in contrast to chronic lesions where levels were lower than in white matter, consistent with axonal loss. Dephosphorylated NfH was higher, but less densly packed in MS white matter axons compared to control tissue.Conclusions: The findings suggest that a less organised/compact axoskeleton or impaired axonal transport may represent an early sign of axonal pathology within the normal appearing white matter in MS. Subsequently a proportional increase of dephosphorylated NfH, aberrant phosphorylation and/or aggregation may occur whilst the protein is transported through the white matter towards the MS plaque, where hyperphosphorylated NfH dominates. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. VL - 213 EP - 335 IS - 2 TI - Phosphorylation and compactness of neurofilaments in multiple sclerosis: Indicators of axonal pathology Y1 - 2008/10// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.06.008 A1 - Petzold, A A1 - Gveric, D A1 - Groves, M A1 - Schmierer, K A1 - Grant, D A1 - Chapman, M A1 - Keir, G A1 - Cuzner, L A1 - Thompson, EJ KW - neurofilament phosphoforms KW - multiple sclerosis KW - axonal injury KW - WALLERIAN DEGENERATION KW - WHITE-MATTER KW - NOGO-A KW - GLUTAMATE KW - DAMAGE KW - LESIONS KW - PROTEINS KW - DISEASE KW - INJURY KW - NEURODEGENERATION AV - public PB - ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE SP - 326 ID - discovery177309 JF - Experimental Neurology ER -