Humoral response to John Cunningham virus during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Virology

Background:

• Pregnancy induces maternal immunosuppression for fetal acceptance.
• This immunosuppression may increase susceptibility to intracellular pathogens.
• The effect of pregnancy on John Cunningham virus (JCV) immunosurveillance is unknown, particularly in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if pregnancy alters humoral immune responses to JCV in MS patients and healthy controls.
• To understand potential pregnancy-induced immune alterations concerning JCV.

Main Methods:

• Serum anti-JCV-antibody-indices (JCV-Ab-index) were measured using ELISA in 49 MS patients and 49 healthy pregnant controls.
• Total IgG and antibodies to Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, and measles viruses were also assessed for comparison.

Main Results:

• JCV-Ab-indices remained stable in MS patients throughout pregnancy.
• Healthy pregnant individuals exhibited significant decreases in JCV-Ab-indices, other viral antibodies, and total IgG levels.
• The decrease in IgG in healthy controls is attributed to increased plasma volume during pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• JCV antibody levels are unaffected by pregnancy in MS patients.
• A significant reduction in total IgG and other viral antibodies occurs in healthy pregnant individuals.
• These findings suggest a distinct immune response to JCV during pregnancy in MS patients compared to healthy controls.