Abstract
Objective: Autoantibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP) are considered to be absent from sera from healthy individuals, but their presence has been reported in
sera from some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We developed a novel assay for anti-MBP antibodies (MBPAbs) to examine the occurrence of diseaseassociated MBPAbs and “natural” MBPAbs in MS patients and healthy individuals, respectively.
Methods: MBP, tetanus toxoid (TT) and human serum albumin (HSA) were attached to separate bead sets, which were incubated with sera from 17 healthy individuals and 17 MS patients for 16 hours at 4°C. The beads were subsequently assessed for IgM- and IgG-uptake using biotinylated anti-human IgM and -IgG classspecific antibodies, respectively, and streptavidin-phycoerythrin as the probing reagents.
Results: Sera from 17 MS patients and 17 healthy individuals contained IgM and IgG reactive with MBP as well as with TT. The levels of IgM MBPAbs were similar
in the two groups, while the levels of IgG MBPAbs were non-significantly higher in the patient group. The IgG-/IgM-binding depended on the density of MBP on
the beads and the concentration of serum.
Conclusion: Using a novel, highly sensitive method, we show here that MBPAbs of IgM and IgG isotypes are generally present in sera from healthy individuals, as
well as in sera from MS patients. At least in healthy individuals these antibodies may be classified as natural autoantibodies. We are currently investigating the
influence of beta-interferon therapy on the MBPAb levels in MS patients.
sera from some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We developed a novel assay for anti-MBP antibodies (MBPAbs) to examine the occurrence of diseaseassociated MBPAbs and “natural” MBPAbs in MS patients and healthy individuals, respectively.
Methods: MBP, tetanus toxoid (TT) and human serum albumin (HSA) were attached to separate bead sets, which were incubated with sera from 17 healthy individuals and 17 MS patients for 16 hours at 4°C. The beads were subsequently assessed for IgM- and IgG-uptake using biotinylated anti-human IgM and -IgG classspecific antibodies, respectively, and streptavidin-phycoerythrin as the probing reagents.
Results: Sera from 17 MS patients and 17 healthy individuals contained IgM and IgG reactive with MBP as well as with TT. The levels of IgM MBPAbs were similar
in the two groups, while the levels of IgG MBPAbs were non-significantly higher in the patient group. The IgG-/IgM-binding depended on the density of MBP on
the beads and the concentration of serum.
Conclusion: Using a novel, highly sensitive method, we show here that MBPAbs of IgM and IgG isotypes are generally present in sera from healthy individuals, as
well as in sera from MS patients. At least in healthy individuals these antibodies may be classified as natural autoantibodies. We are currently investigating the
influence of beta-interferon therapy on the MBPAb levels in MS patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | European Journal of Immunology |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | Suppl 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 493 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| ISSN | 0014-2980 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 2nd European Congress of Immunology - Berlin, Germany Duration: 13 Sept 2009 → 16 Sept 2009 Conference number: 2 |
Conference
| Conference | 2nd European Congress of Immunology |
|---|---|
| Number | 2 |
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Berlin |
| Period | 13/09/2009 → 16/09/2009 |
