Diagnostic function of the neuroinflammatory biomarker YKL-40 in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Abstract
Introduction Neuroinflammation is a crucial mechanism in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases pathophysiology. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) YKL-40 - an indicator of microglial activation - has recently been identified by proteomic studies as a candidate biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Areas covered: We review the impact of CSF YKL-40 as a pathophysiological biomarker for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. CSF YKL-40 concentrations have been shown to predict progression from prodromal mild cognitive impairment to AD dementia. Moreover, a positive association between CSF YKL-40 and other biomarkers of neurodegeneration - particularly total tau protein - has been reported during the asymptomatic preclinical stage of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Albeit preliminary, current data do not support an association between APOE-ε4 status and CSF YKL-40 concentrations. When interpreting the diagnostic/prognostic significance of CSF YKL-40 concentrations in neurodegenerative diseases, potential confounders - including age, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, diagnostic criteria for selecting cases/controls - need to be considered. Expert opinion/commentary: CSF YKL-40 represents a pathophysiological biomarker reflecting immune/inflammatory mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, associated with tau protein pathology. Besides being associated with tau pathology, CSF YKL-40 adds to the growing array of biomarkers reflecting distinct molecular brai…
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CSF YKL-40 is an established neuroinflammatory marker.
“CSF YKL-40 (also known as chitinase-3 like-protein 1 or cartilage glycoprotein-39) is an established neuroinflammatory marker [14].”
From Cerebrospinal fluid levels of the neurotrophic factor neuroleukin are increased in early Alzheimer’s disease, but not in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (2021) · cites this paper as [14]
YKL-40 is an established neuroinflammatory marker, expressed by astrocytes and microglia.
“CSF NLK strongly correlated with CSF YKL-40 (also known as chitinase-3 like-protein 1 or cartilage glycoprotein-39), an established neuroinflammatory marker [14], expressed by astrocytes and microglia.”
From Cerebrospinal fluid levels of the neurotrophic factor neuroleukin are increased in early Alzheimer’s disease, but not in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (2021) · cites this paper as [14]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Baldacci, F., Lista, S., Cavedo, E., Bonuccelli, U., & Hampel, H.
- Affiliations
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Hampel, Harald
- Venue
- Expert Review of Proteomics
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-03-20
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 285-299
- ISSN
- 1478-9450 (ISSN-L)
- 1744-8387
- OpenAlex
- W2591661570
- Cited by
- 113
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Expert Review of Proteomics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- AXA Research Fund (ANR-10-IAIHU-06)
- Investissements d’avenir (ANR-10-IAIHU-06)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Keywords
- YKL-40, Alzheimer's disease, neuroinflammation, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, microglial activation, tau protein, mild cognitive impairment, prodromal Alzheimer's disease, preclinical Alzheimer's disease, APOE ε4, neurodegenerative diseases, anti-inflammatory therapy, precision medicine
- MeSH terms
- Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1, Alzheimer Disease, Humans, Inflammation, Risk Factors, Biomarkers, tau Proteins, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Proteomics
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