Immunofluorescence study of brain plaques from two patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Immunofluorescence studies were performed on selected plaques from two multiple sclerosis patients. Positive staining revealed the corresponding presence of immunoglobulin G and complement fraction C1q within the plaque areas. These components could be removed only after low pH washing. On the basis of these observations, we discuss the possibility of the presence of immunocomplexes within the multiple sclerosis brain.

Polyreactive myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies: Implications for systemic autoimmunity in progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

“…The evidence includes intrathecal Ig synthesis (Kabat and Freedman, 1950), the presence of oligoclonal IgG bands in the CSF (Johnson et al, 1977;Lowenthal et al, 1960), identification of plasma cells and Ig in MS lesions and Ig deposition at the border of actively demyelinating plaques (Esiri, 1977;Lumsden, 1971;Storch et al, 1998;Woyciechowska and Brzosko, 1977). Several studies have sought to identify the antigenic targets of the B cells and antibodies found in CSF and brain plaques in MS, yet no single target has been found which is directly responsible for the development or progression of MS. Several of the targets identified thus far are of interest to our study.…”

“…In addition, the demonstration that injection of the hybridomas into naïve mice resulted in antibody deposition in the liver and kidney supports the hypothesis that P-EAE is a systemic autoimmune disease. In MS involvement of general organs and autoantibodies against non-myelin antigens is observed (Gardinier et al, 1992;Kabat and Freedman, 1950;Lowenthal et al, 1960;Tsunoda et al, 2000), while in systemic autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, antibodies against CNS antigens and inflammation in the CNS have been demonstrated (Esiri, 1977;Woyciechowska and Brzosko, 1977). This model will be useful in determining whether transitional forms between CNS (organ)-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases exist, and whether progressive MS has features of a systemic autoimmune disease.…”

“…In MS involvement of general organs and autoantibodies against non-myelin antigens is observed (Gardinier et al, 1992;Kabat and Freedman, 1950;Lowenthal et al, 1960;Tsunoda et al, 2000) and in systemic autoimmune disease, i.e., systemic lupus, CNS antibodies and inflammation are seen (Esiri, 1977;Woyciechowska and Brzosko, 1977).…”

B cells in multiple sclerosis

“…Furthermore, oligodendrocytes, which undergo destruction in fresh MS plaques (18) are found within reactive astrocytes, and these cells stain positive for IgG (19). Complement proteins have also been found to co-localize with IgG in active MS lesions (20,21). In secondary progressive MS, linear groups of microglia engage short segments of disrupted myelin associated with deposits of complement, and intense staining for IgG is seen throughout the demyelinated zone.…”

Anti-DNA antibodies are a major component of the intrathecal B cell response in multiple sclerosis

“…Third, there is direct evidence of the induction of antibody-mediated effector mechanisms in MS lesions. IgG deposition around the borders of actively demyelinating MS plaques has been shown to correlate with the presence of activated complement fragments and complexes (7)(8)(9).…”