Chapter 29 - Autoantibodies in central nervous system trauma: new frontiers for diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) injury, encompassing both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) injury, is a global public health burden and a major cause of disability and mortality. Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of applying standardized diagnosis and assessment procedures in establishing evidence-based interventions to minimize the dramatic consequences of traumatic CNS injury. There is an increasing interest in the effects as well as the utility of autoantibodies on human pathobiology. In the field of CNS trauma, autoantibodies have the potential roles as biomarkers as well as guides for neurotherapy. Several autoantibodies have been studied for their neuroprotective and/or neurotoxic implications during CNS injury for their diagnostic and prognostic tools. Here, we provide an overview of the immune responses following CNS trauma and highlight the role of autoimmunity following CNS injury. Furthermore, we provide perspectives on the potential roles of autoantibodies as pathological components and as candidate diagnostic or prognostic markers for detecting and assessing CNS injury. Finally, we discuss the detrimental role that B cell activation plays during CNS injury as it offers particular therapeutic opportunities.