Cerebrospinal fluid pentraxin 3 and CD40 ligand in anti-N-menthyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system whose pathogenesis involves interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17A. We examined the correlations between CSF concentrations of the acute-phase protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3), the chronic inflammatory mediator CD40L, IL-6, and IL-17A in anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and the impact on clinical outcome. PTX3, CD40L, IL-6, and IL-17A were significantly higher in the CSF of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis than in controls. Within the former, PTX3 levels correlated positively with IL-6 and the mRS, and CD40L levels with IL-17A and the mRS. Higher PTX3 and CD40L levels may reflect the underlying neuroinflammation.