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Antimyelin basic protein and antimyelin antibody‐producing cells in multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Olsson Tomas,
Baig Shahid,
Jeberg Bo Hö,
Link Hans
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410270207
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , myelin basic protein , antibody , myelin , immunology , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , meningoencephalitis , immune system , galactocerebroside , cerebrospinal fluid , t cell , medicine , biology , pathology , oligodendrocyte , central nervous system , in vitro , biochemistry
The B‐Cell response to myelin and myelin basic protein was studied in patients with multiple sclerosis and in patients with acute aseptic meningoencephalitis by using a nitrocellulose immunospot assay. This method allows detection of single cells producing antibodies. Twenty‐seven (79%) of 34 patients with multiple sclerosis had cells producing IgG antibodies against myelin, and 11 (57%) of 19 had cells producing IgG antibodies against myelin basic protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with mean values of 30 and 14 per 10 4 mononuclear cells, respectively. Total numbers of IgG‐producing cells occurred at a mean number of 75 per 10 4 CSF Cells. Cells producing antimyelin or anti–myelin basic protein antibodies of IgA or IgM isotypes were rarely found in CSF. Patients with acute aseptic meningoencephalitis less frequently showed CSF cells producing IgG antibodies against myelin and myelin basic protein. No cells producing antibodies against myelin or myelin basic protein were detected in peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis or meningoencephalitis. Thus, a majority of patients with multiple sclerosis had CSF cells that produced IgG antibodies against myelin and myelin basic protein. These cells comprised a large proportion of the total IgG‐producing cells. A pronounced B‐cell response against autoantigens produced at the target for immune attack might be important in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.