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Comprehensive viral immunology of multiple sclerosis. III. Analysis of CSF antibodies by radioimmunoassay
Abstract:
The CSF from 279 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), probable MS, or controls was examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) for antibodies to measles, rubella, mumps, parainfluenza 1 (Sendai) (strain 6/94), herpes simplex (HSV), varicella, and vaccinia viruses. Significantly more patients with MS than noninflammatory control patients had antibody to measles, rubella and varicella viruses, of which antibody to measles was the most prevalent. The percentage of patients with MS with two or more CSF antibodies was significantly greater than that in the controls. There was no tendency for certain antibodies to be associated. There was a general relationship between presence of CSF antibodies and severity of MS. The data support the hypothesis of local CNS antibody synthesis of several viral antibodies; however, such local synthesis may be a random event, possibly dependent on the number and specificity of peripheral virus antibody-forming lymphocytes available for ingress into the CNS.
Insights
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) show higher levels of antibodies to measles, rubella, and varicella viruses in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This suggests a potential link between viral infections and MS, possibly involving local antibody production in the central nervous system (CNS).
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS).
- The role of viral infections in the etiology or pathogenesis of MS remains an area of active investigation.
- Antibody production within the CNS (intrathecal synthesis) is a hallmark of several neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and prevalence of antibodies to specific viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore the relationship between viral antibody profiles in CSF and MS disease characteristics, including severity.
- To evaluate the hypothesis of local CNS antibody synthesis in MS.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to detect antibodies against measles, rubella, mumps, parainfluenza 1, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella, and vaccinia viruses in CSF samples.
- CSF samples were analyzed from 279 individuals, including patients with MS, probable MS, and non-inflammatory controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher levels of antibodies to measles, rubella, and varicella viruses were found in the CSF of MS patients compared to controls.
- Antibodies to measles virus were the most prevalent among the detected viral antibodies.
- A greater percentage of MS patients had antibodies to two or more viruses in their CSF compared to controls.
- A correlation was observed between the presence of CSF antibodies and the severity of MS.
- No specific association between certain viral antibodies was identified.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that local synthesis of viral antibodies occurs within the CNS of MS patients.
- The intrathecal antibody production may be a consequence of peripheral immune responses to viral infections, with lymphocytes migrating into the CNS.
- The presence and extent of local antibody synthesis might be influenced by the number and specificity of virus-specific antibody-producing lymphocytes available for CNS entry.