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Updated: May 27, 2026

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

Viruses and multiple sclerosis

Gregory P Owens1, Don Gilden, Mark P Burgoon

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
|December 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused by a virus. Identifying viral targets using recombinant antibodies from patient samples offers a promising diagnostic approach for this chronic demyelinating disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Virology
  • Neuropathology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of unknown cause, potentially linked to viral infections or immunopathology.
  • Epidemiological data and twin studies suggest MS is acquired, not solely genetic.
  • The presence of oligoclonal IgG bands (OCBs) in the central nervous system (CNS) of MS patients strongly indicates an infectious etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical efforts in identifying infectious agents in MS.
  • To explore the potential of using recombinant antibodies from plasma cells to identify disease-relevant antigens in MS.
  • To demonstrate the utility of this strategy by comparing it to successful applications in other CNS disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of past research on infectious agents in MS.
  • Generation and analysis of recombinant antibodies from clonally expanded plasma cells in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • Application of this technique to analyze antigen specificity in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and neuromyelitis optica.

Main Results:

  • OCBs in MS patients are specific and persist, suggesting they target the causative agent.
  • The recombinant antibody strategy has proven effective in identifying specific antigens in other chronic CNS infections and autoimmune diseases.
  • This approach holds promise for pinpointing the infectious agent or relevant antigens in MS.

Conclusions:

  • Identifying the antigenic targets of OCBs is crucial for understanding MS etiology.
  • Recombinant antibody technology provides a powerful tool for discovering disease-relevant antigens in MS.
  • This method could lead to improved diagnostics and targeted therapies for multiple sclerosis.

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