Peripheral nerve binding patterns of anti-sulphatide antibodies in HIV-infected individuals

HIV-positive plasma samples from patients with and without neuropathy and with high titre anti-GalS antibodies showed strong binding to the myelin membrane of both fixed and unfixed human sciatic nerve specimens. This staining pattern was also seen with a plasma sample from a patient with IgM paraproteinaemic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy with anti-GalS IgM antibody. Teased nerve fibres incubated with these anti-GalS antibodies from both HIV and non-HIV plasma samples showed immunofluorescence at the paranodal regions and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. These data support a potential role for these antibodies in the aetiology of HIV-associated immune mediated neuropathies.