Antibodies as biological markers for pathophysiological processes in MS

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Neurology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease.
• MS exhibits diverse clinical courses, treatment responses, and immunopathogenetic subtypes.
• Subtyping MS patients using multiple parameters is crucial for future management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status and potential of antibodies as biological markers in MS.
• To explore the applicability of antibodies for MS diagnosis, classification, and disease activity prediction.
• To summarize findings on autoantibodies and viral antigens in MS.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on antibodies in multiple sclerosis.
• Analysis of evidence linking intrathecal antibody production and B cell dominance to disease progression.
• Summarization of research on autoantibodies to myelin and nonmyelin antigens, and viral antigens.

Main Results:

• Intrathecal antibody production and B cell dominance correlate with more progressive MS disease courses.
• Antibodies show potential as biomarkers for diagnosis, classification, and predicting clinical outcomes in MS.
• Evidence supports the role of autoantibodies and antibodies to viral antigens in MS pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Antibodies are valuable biological markers for multiple sclerosis.
• Biomarker-guided approaches can facilitate personalized therapeutic strategies in MS.
• Selective treatment based on pathogenetic subtype and disease status is achievable with antibody biomarkers.