Are corneal nerve and dendritic cell parameters assessed via corneal confocal microscopy good markers for multiple sclerosis? – A systematic review and meta-analysis

IF 2.5 4区医学 Q3 IMMUNOLOGY

Journal of neuroimmunology Pub Date : 2025-07-24 DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2025.578697

Prince K. Akowuah , Esther Botchway , Ebenezer Owusu , Dominic A. Ohene , Teresa Abonambugre , Yusif Saeed Adam , Phoebe Ahimah Asherow , Berlinda E. Deletsu , Jesse Doe , Felicia Akyaa Akomeah , David Totoe

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

The current study evaluated corneal nerve and dendritic cell changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to healthy controls.

Methods

The study was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024606762) and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Mean difference (MD), with a 95 % confidence interval, was used to assess outcomes. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system.

Results

12 cross-sectional comparative studies (n = 485 MS patients, n = 319 controls) met the inclusion criteria. Corneal nerve fiber density (MD = −8.35 fibers/mm², 95 % CI: −11.90 to −4.79; number of studies = 6), corneal nerve fiber length (MD = −4.05 mm/mm², 95 % CI: −5.74 to −2.36; number of studies = 9) and corneal nerve branch density (MD = −18.76 branches/mm², 95 % CI: −21.51 to −16.02; number of studies = 6) were significantly lower in MS compared to healthy controls. Heterogeneity was significant for corneal nerve fiber density and corneal nerve fiber length, but insignificant for corneal nerve branch density. No significant difference was found in corneal dendritic cell density; however, in the subgroup with disease duration ≤8 years, multiple sclerosis patients had significantly higher dendritic cell density (MD = 17.36 cells/mm², 95 % CI: 4.17 to 30.56; number of studies = 3).

Conclusion

Corneal nerve degeneration and dendritic cell changes assessment with corneal confocal microscopy may be an emerging tool with potential for disease monitoring. Further longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and clarify their correlation with MS progression and severity.

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角膜共聚焦显微镜评估角膜神经和树突状细胞参数是多发性硬化症的良好标志吗？-系统回顾和荟萃分析

目的本研究评估多发性硬化症（MS）患者角膜神经和树突状细胞的变化，并与健康对照进行比较。方法该研究已在PROSPERO注册（ID: CRD42024606762），并遵守PRISMA指南。检索了PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science数据库。平均差异（MD）， 95%置信区间，用于评估结果。使用GRADE系统评估证据质量。结果12项横断面比较研究（n = 485例MS患者，n = 319例对照）符合纳入标准。角膜神经纤维密度(MD =−8.35纤维/mm2, 95% CI:−11.90 ~−4.79；研究数= 6)，角膜神经纤维长度(MD = - 4.05 mm/mm2, 95% CI: - 5.74 ~ - 2.36；研究数= 9)和角膜神经分支密度(MD =−18.76支/mm2, 95% CI:−21.51 ~−16.02；研究数= 6)与健康对照相比，MS患者的发病率显著降低。角膜神经纤维密度和角膜神经纤维长度的异质性显著，但角膜神经分支密度的异质性不显著。角膜树突状细胞密度差异无统计学意义；然而，在病程≤8年的亚组中，多发性硬化症患者的树突状细胞密度明显更高(MD = 17.36 cells/mm2, 95% CI: 4.17 ~ 30.56；研究数= 3)。结论角膜共聚焦显微镜技术评价角膜神经变性和树突状细胞的变化是一种有潜力的新型疾病监测工具。需要进一步的纵向研究来验证这些发现，并阐明它们与MS进展和严重程度的相关性。

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来源期刊

Journal of neuroimmunology 医学-免疫学

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

3.00%

发文量

154

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Neuroimmunology affords a forum for the publication of works applying immunologic methodology to the furtherance of the neurological sciences. Studies on all branches of the neurosciences, particularly fundamental and applied neurobiology, neurology, neuropathology, neurochemistry, neurovirology, neuroendocrinology, neuromuscular research, neuropharmacology and psychology, which involve either immunologic methodology (e.g. immunocytochemistry) or fundamental immunology (e.g. antibody and lymphocyte assays), are considered for publication.