Antibodies to myelin lipids in multiple sclerosis

Development of immunopathological reactions in the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the key events in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Humoral immune responses with formation of antibodies to the components of the myelin sheath play an important role. However, the targets for antibodies, their contribution to the development of pathologic process, and stages of the disease, where they play the most important role, are still not quite clear. In this study, we investigated the frequency of detection of antibodies to myelin glycolipids in MS and their relationship with clinical features of the disease. The results of the study showed that patients with MS demonstrate a trend towards more frequent detection of antibodies to glycolipids and sulfatide in blood serum, which is especially pronounced in patients with secondary progressive course. Antibodies to GM1 ganglioside were significantly more frequently detected in patients with secondary progressive MS as compared to patients with remitting course and healthy volunteers. These results are indicative of the fact that antibodies to lipids may participate in the development of demyelinating and neurodegenerative processes in MS and be the markers of disease progression. Further development of the concept of the mechanisms of humoral response to myelin lipids in MS and identification of the most significant antibody targets will facilitate the development of new approaches to prediction of disease course and discovery of new targets for immunomodulating therapy.