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Measles virus antibody in cerebrospinal fluids from patients with multiple sclerosis
Abstract:
A strong measles-specific gel precipitation reaction was found in the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) of two patients with multiple sclerosis (M.S.) (total of 15 tested). The serum and C.S.F. specimens from these two patients were tested for measles antibody by six assay methods. The results were compared with those obtained from serum and C.S.F. specimens of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.). The gel precipitation line produced by the C.S.F. from the M.S. patients was identical with one of the three lines produced by the C.S.F. from the S.S.P.E. patient. The main antigenic component responsible for measles antibody appearing in the C.S.F. of the S.S.P.E. patient and the M.S. patients was also electrophoretically similar, and the corresponding antibody was associated with IgG. The serum/C.S.F. antibody titre ratios with the various assay methods used suggest that the C.S.F. antibodies are mainly to other than envelope components of measles virus. No complement-fixing antibody against 27 other viruses or Mycoplasma pneumoniae was found in the C.S.F. of the two M.S. patients.
Insights
Measles antibodies were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) of two multiple sclerosis (M.S.) patients, similar to those found in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.). This suggests a potential link between measles virus and M.S. pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (M.S.) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- The potential role of viral infections, particularly measles virus, in the etiology or pathogenesis of M.S. remains an area of investigation.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.) is a rare, fatal neurological complication of measles infection characterized by measles virus persistence in the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of measles-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) of patients with multiple sclerosis (M.S.).
- To compare the measles antibody profiles in M.S. patients with those found in a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (S.S.P.E.).
- To explore the antigenic targets and immunoglobulin class of measles antibodies in the C.S.F. of M.S. patients.
Main Methods:
- Gel precipitation reactions were used to detect measles-specific antibodies in C.S.F. specimens.
- Multiple assay methods were employed to test serum and C.S.F. for measles antibodies.
- Electrophoretic analysis was performed to compare antigenic components.
- Antibody-associated immunoglobulin class (IgG) was determined.
Main Results:
- A measles-specific gel precipitation reaction was observed in the C.S.F. of two out of 15 tested M.S. patients.
- The precipitation line from M.S. patients' C.S.F. was identical to one of the lines produced by S.S.P.E. patient's C.S.F.
- The main antigenic component in the C.S.F. of both M.S. and S.S.P.E. patients was electrophoretically similar and associated with IgG.
- Serum/C.S.F. antibody titre ratios suggested antibodies were directed against non-envelope measles virus components.
- No complement-fixing antibodies against 27 other viruses or Mycoplasma pneumoniae were detected in the M.S. patients' C.S.F.
Conclusions:
- The presence of measles-specific antibodies in the C.S.F. of M.S. patients, similar to S.S.P.E., suggests a potential role for measles virus or its components in the pathogenesis of M.S.
- The findings indicate that measles virus antigens may cross-react with central nervous system components in M.S.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanism and clinical significance of measles virus-specific immune responses in multiple sclerosis.