title: Retinal antigens are recognized by antibodies present in sera of patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently accompanied by visual symptoms including those related to retinal disorders. Since they may be a consequence of an autoimmune reaction, we examined whether sera of patients with diagnosed MS and changes in visual-evoked potentials contain antibodies against retinal antigens (retAgs). Immunoblot analysis revealed that MS sera recognized mainly a 46-kD antigen, a 41-kD antigen, retinal arrestin, to a smaller extent also 70-, 56-, 43-, and 36-kD proteins. Patients whose sera showed the highest reactivity with 41- and 46-kD antigens had deficiencies in visual acuity, visual fields, ophthalmoscopy, and electroretinograms. Our observation suggests that antibodies to these retAgs may play a role in the origin of ophthalmologic impairment in MS.
authors.affiliation: L. Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. gorczyca@immuno.iitd.pan.wroc.pl
authors.forename: Wojciech A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Gorczyca
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ejma
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Witkowska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiuk-Hojło
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuropatwa
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mulak
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szymaniec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens