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Anti‐ SPAG 16 antibodies in primary progressive multiple sclerosis are associated with an elevated progression index
Author(s) -
Bock L.,
Fraussen J.,
Villar L. M.,
ÁlvarezCermeño J. C.,
Van Wijmeersch B.,
Pesch V.,
Stinissen P.,
Somers V.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.12925
Subject(s) - medicine , autoantibody , multiple sclerosis , antibody , expanded disability status scale , biomarker , immunology , gastroenterology , biology , biochemistry
Background and purpose Sperm‐associated antigen 16 ( SPAG 16), a sperm protein which is upregulated in reactive astrocytes in multiple sclerosis ( MS ) lesions, has recently been identified as a novel autoantibody target in MS . The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti‐ SPAG 16 antibody levels differ between MS subtypes (relapsing−remitting, RR ; primary or secondary progressive, PP , SP ) and whether antibody positivity is associated with clinical characteristics. Methods Plasma anti‐ SPAG 16 antibody levels were determined by recombinant protein enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 374 MS patients (274 RRMS , 39 SPMS and 61 PPMS ) and 106 healthy controls. Results Significantly elevated anti‐ SPAG 16 antibodies were found in 22% of MS patients with 93% specificity. Anti‐ SPAG 16 seropositivity was associated with an increased Expanded Disability Status Scale ( EDSS ) in overall MS . A higher proportion of PPMS patients showed anti‐ SPAG 16 antibody reactivity (34%) compared to RRMS (19%) and SPMS (26%), and presented with higher anti‐ SPAG 16 antibody levels. Seropositive PPMS patients had a significantly increased progression index compared to seronegative patients. Conclusions Anti‐ SPAG 16 antibodies are associated with an increased EDSS in overall MS , indicating that they are linked to a worse MS disease outcome. Moreover, the presence of anti‐ SPAG 16 antibodies may be a biomarker for a more severe disease in PPMS patients, as indicated by an increased progression index.