[Nervous tissue protein autoantibodies in hepatolenticular degeneration]

Two novel protein antigens-Hbmp-1 and Hbmp-2 have been isolated from human brain tissue. Test-systems for determining auto-antibodies (a-Ab) to above mentioned proteins, as well as to basic myelin protein, S-100 beta and glial fibrillary acid protein have been developed. Sixty-three HLD patients have been examined. Increased a-Ab levels to the novel proteins has been shown in HLD patients; no difference between HLD patients and control groups being found for a-Ab levels to other proteins. Correlation has been observed between a type and course of the disease, on the one hand, and a-Ab levels to Hbmp-1 and to Hbmp-2, on the other hand.