title: From host components of virus particles to anti-myelin human monoclonal antibodies obtained by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies against viruses and host components were obtained after transformation of human B cells by Epstein-Barr virus, their cloning and propagation. B cells were mainly obtained from peripheral blood of healthy individuals or patients with neurological diseases, especially with multiple sclerosis (MS). The obtained autoantibodies reacted with cell components, i.e. with the nucleus, cytoplasm or cytoskeleton. Using myelin in the screening procedure, about 30 monoclonal antibodies were obtained reacting with human brain cells or myelin components. Anti-myelin antibodies were further examined to determine their antigenic targets in a liposome agglutination assay and an anti-lipid ELISA. Most of these antibodies reacted with phospholipids, some reacted with glycolipids. Some of the tested autoantibodies were obtained only from MS patients. Differences in their reaction with galactocerebroside between MS- and non-MS-persons were observed. The regression of transformed B cells was more pronounced and faster in MS-patients than in healthy individuals. The idea that host components in enveloped viruses could be responsible for autoimmune diseases, especially for MS, is put into a historical perspective and discussed in the paper.
authors.affiliation: Heinrich-Pette-Institut für Experimentelle Virologie und Immunologie an Universität Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dernick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uhlig
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D006017:Glycolipids; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids