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(alpha)B-crystallin in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

Birgitte Stoevring1, Ole Vang, Michael Christiansen

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sector of Microbiology and Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|May 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Alpha B-crystallin, a potential target in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of both MS patients and neurological controls. This study confirms its aggregated form in CSF and U373 cells.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Protein biochemistry
  • Biomarker discovery

Background:

  • Alpha B-crystallin (αB-crystallin) is a chaperone protein implicated in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
  • It is recognized as a potential myelin antigen by human T cells in MS.
  • Investigating αB-crystallin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may offer insights into MS pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the presence of αB-crystallin in the CSF of MS patients and neurological controls.
  • To characterize the form of αB-crystallin in CSF and cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Development and characterization of a specific chicken anti-(α)B-crystallin antibody.
  • Semi-quantitative Western blot analysis of CSF from 16 MS patients and 16 neurological controls.
  • Analysis of αB-crystallin in human astroglioma U373 cells.

Main Results:

  • High molecular weight αB-crystallin was detected in the CSF of all MS patients (100%) and 88% of neurological controls.
  • Aggregates of αB-crystallin, potentially post-translationally modified, were identified in human astroglioma U373 cells.
  • The presence of αB-crystallin was confirmed in CSF samples.

Conclusions:

  • Alpha B-crystallin is present in the CSF of individuals with MS and other neurological conditions.
  • αB-crystallin exists in aggregated forms within the CSF and in the U373 cell line.
  • These findings suggest αB-crystallin's potential role in neurological disorders.
Abstract

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