Increased Intrathecal High-Avidity Anti-Tau Antibodies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Lenka Fialová,Ivan Malbohan,Jana Švarcová,Ales Bartos,Pablo Villoslada

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027476

Lenka Fialová, Ivan Malbohan + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0027476

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Abstract

BackgroundAntibodies against tau protein indicate an interaction between the immune system and the neurocytoskeleton and therefore may reflect axonal injury in multiple sclerosis (MS).Methodology/Principal FindingsThe levels and avidities of anti-tau IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples obtained from 49 MS patients and 47 controls. Anti-tau antibodies were significantly elevated intrathecally (p<0.0001) in the MS group. The CSF anti-tau antibody levels were lower in MS patients receiving therapy than those without treatment (p<0.05). The avidities of anti-tau antibodies were higher in the CSF than in the serum (MS group p<0.0001; controls p<0.005). Anti-tau avidities in the CSF were elevated in MS patients in comparison with controls (p<0.05), but not in serum.ConclusionsMS patients have higher levels of intrathecal anti-tau antibodies. Anti-tau antibodies have different avidities in different compartments with the highest values in the CSF of MS patients.

Highlights

Demyelination and axonal pathology are the main underlying processes in multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]
We found elevated intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to medium neurofilaments and higher levels of anti-tubulin antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in MS patients
Anti-tau antibodies in the serum and CSF and their intrathecal synthesis

Summary

Introduction

Demyelination and axonal pathology are the main underlying processes in multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. The targeted axonal antigens for anti-neurocytoskeletal antibody responses in MS have already been investigated. Several studies reported the presence of antibodies against axonal antigens in the serum and CSF of patients having a variety of neurological diseases [7,8,9,10,11]. We investigated autoantibodies to neurocytoskeletal structures such as light and medium subunits of neurofilaments and tubulins [12,13,14]. We found elevated intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to medium neurofilaments and higher levels of anti-tubulin antibodies in the CSF in MS patients. Antibodies against tau protein indicate an interaction between the immune system and the neurocytoskeleton and may reflect axonal injury in multiple sclerosis (MS)

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