Neurofilament light chain (Nf-L) in cerebrospinal fluid and serum as a potential biomarker in the differential diagnosis of neurological diseases in cattle

• Published in: Veterinary research (Paris) 2025-01, Vol.56 (1), p.6-17, Article 6
• Main Authors: Di Muro, Giorgia, Tessarolo, Carlotta, Cagnotti, Giulia, Favole, Alessandra, Ferrini, Sara, Ala, Ugo, Bellino, Claudio, Borriello, Giuliano, Gallo, Marina, Iamone, Giulia, Iulini, Barbara, Pezzolato, Marzia, Casalone, Cristina, Caramelli, Maria, Capucci, Lorenzo, Cavadini, Patrizia, Corona, Cristiano, D'Angelo, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - cerebrospinal fluid; Bovine; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - blood; Cattle Diseases - cerebrospinal fluid; Cattle Diseases - diagnosis; cerebrospinal fluid; Diagnosis, Differential; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Female; Life Sciences; Male; Nervous system diseases; Nervous System Diseases - blood; Nervous System Diseases - cerebrospinal fluid; Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Nervous System Diseases - veterinary; neurofilament light chain; Neurofilament Proteins - blood; Neurofilament Proteins - cerebrospinal fluid; neurology; Physiological aspects
• ISSN: 1297-9716; 0928-4249; 1297-9716
• DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01441-4

Neurofilament light chain (Nf-L) is a biomarker for axonal damage in human neurology but is understudied in cattle. With this study we wanted to determine Nf-L stability at two different storage temperatures and Nf-L levels in healthy cattle and the relationship with age, evaluate whether Nf-L holds diagnostic potential for neurological disorders, and whether an association exists between Nf-L in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To do this, we measured Nf-L levels in CSF and serum samples from 49 healthy and 75 sick cattle. Storage at -80 °C or -20 °C had no impact on Nf-L concentration. Physiological median Nf-L levels were 6.3 pg/mL (serum) and 414 pg/mL (CSF) in calves and 5.5 pg/mL (serum) and 828 pg/mL (CSF) in adult cattle. There was no association between Nf-L levels in CSF and calf age (r 0.07, p = 0.13), while a weak association was found for Nf-L in serum (r 0.26, p = 0.01), and a significant association in adult cattle (CSF, r 0.69, p = 0.0001; serum, r 0.68, p = 0.0003). CSF Nf-L levels were higher in samples from animals with degenerative (median Nf-L 49971 pg/mL) and infectious central nervous system (CNS) disorders (median Nf-L, age