Elevated CHI3L1 and OPN levels in patients with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis

Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1) and osteopontin (OPN) are known biomarkers of neuroinflammation. Herein, we explored the relationship between these inflammatory markers with the disease severity and prognosis in anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. We recruited 36 anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients and 20 controls. Compared to the levels in the controls, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of CHI3L1 and OPN were significantly increased in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and the CSF levels were found to be correlated with the initial and 6-month follow-up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and abnormal brain MRI (suggestive of encephalitis). In addition, the CSF levels of CHI3L1 were associated with age, the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count and the CSF/serum albumin index (CSF-AI). CHI3L1 and OPN might serve as promising biomarkers for anti-NMDAR encephalitis.