Enolase autoantibodies and retinal function in multiple sclerosis patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Immunology

Background:

• Electroretinographic (ERG) abnormalities and antiretinal antibodies are reported in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Alpha-enolase autoantibodies have been linked to autoimmune retinopathy and vision impairment in MS patients.
• This study investigates the connection between antiretinal antibodies and ERG changes in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between antiretinal antibodies and ERG alterations in MS patients.
• To determine if alpha-enolase autoantibodies contribute to retinal dysfunction in MS.
• To assess the association between HLA type and autoantibody presence in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Recruited MS patients with normal visual acuity and healthy controls.
• Performed electroretinography (ERG) according to ISCEV standards.
• Analyzed sera for antiretinal antibodies using Western blot and ELISA; performed HLA class II typing.

Main Results:

• MS patients exhibited significantly delayed rod-cone b-wave implicit times compared to controls (p < 0.005).
• Alpha-enolase autoantibodies were found in 38% of MS patients versus 11% of controls (p < 0.02).
• No significant difference in ERG parameters was observed between MS patients with or without alpha-enolase antibodies; no HLA association found.

Conclusions:

• Delayed ERG implicit times in MS patients may be due to factors other than alpha-enolase antibodies.
• Alpha-enolase antibodies are likely an epiphenomenon in MS and not causing retinopathy in patients with normal vision.
• The pathogenic role of alpha-enolase autoantibodies in MS patients with visual impairment requires further investigation.