Quantitation of multiple sclerosis specific central nervous system antigens in various regions of MS brains

We have estimated the levels of partially purified multiple sclerosis (MS) specific glycoproteins (MSG2) in gray matter, white matter, spinal cord and brain stem of MS autopsy brains by an enzyme immunoassay in which antisera to a pooled MSG2 was employed. Similarly, the levels of KG2 (non-MS brain isolate corresponding to MSG2) were assayed in various topographic areas of non-MS autopsy brains. Comparison of data on MS and non-MS groups revealed that the MS specific antigens may be preferentially located in the normal appearing white matter of MS brains. The concentration of MS antigens was found to be highest in the normal appearing white matter of MS brains, followed by periplaque and finally plaque. These results indicate that the MS specific antigens are not the degraded products of MS brains. They further support the view that normal appearing white matter of MS brains should be the target tissue for the isolation of MS specific antigens.