Antimeasles immunoglobulin G and virus-neutralizing activity in sera of patients with otosclerosis
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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Measuring Influenza Neutralizing Antibody Responses to A(H3N2) Viruses in Human Sera by Microneutralization Assays Using MDCK-SIAT1 Cells
Published on: November 22, 2017
Stephan Lolov1, George Edrev, Stanimir Kyurkchiev
1Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
Otosclerosis is considered as an organ-specific measles virus (MV)-induced disease. The majority of people are infected with MV during childhood, and the immune activation is characterized by a lifelong persistence. Any kind of depressed systemic antimeasles reaction can lead to induction of a local immune response in the inner ear. MV proteins were resolved by conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of a denaturing detergent. In subsequent Western blot, healthy blood donors demonstrated a stronger reaction against most proteins than age- and sex-matched otosclerotic patients. Different serum dilutions were tested for neutralizing activity against constant MV concentration. Nearly complete viral neutralization was achieved with samples containing inactivated complement and in immunoglobulin-G-containing fractions, and activity in sera from patients with confirmed otosclerosis was significantly weaker than in healthy individuals. Our observations are consistent with viral participation in otosclerotic pathogenesis, but it is difficult to say if the diminished antimeasles humoral response is a consequence of or the cause for a local measles infection.
Insights
Otosclerosis may be linked to measles virus (MV) infection. Patients with otosclerosis showed a weaker immune response to MV proteins compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a potential viral role in the disease.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Otosclerosis is hypothesized to be an organ-specific disease induced by the measles virus (MV).
- Measles virus infection during childhood leads to lifelong immune persistence.
- A depressed systemic anti-measles response can trigger a local immune response in the inner ear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between measles virus and otosclerosis.
- To compare the immune response to measles virus proteins in otosclerosis patients and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Measles virus proteins were separated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
- Western blot analysis was performed to assess immune reactions against MV proteins.
- Serum samples were tested for neutralizing activity against measles virus.
Main Results:
- Healthy individuals exhibited a stronger immune reaction to most MV proteins than otosclerosis patients.
- Serum from otosclerosis patients showed significantly weaker neutralizing activity against MV compared to healthy individuals.
- Viral neutralization was nearly complete with inactivated complement and immunoglobulin-G fractions.
Conclusions:
- Observations support the involvement of measles virus in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis.
- It remains unclear whether the diminished anti-measles humoral response is a cause or consequence of local measles infection in otosclerosis.
