Antimyelin antibodies in clinically isolated syndromes correlate with inflammation in MRI and CSF.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the correlation of antimyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-(anti-MOG) and anti-myelin basic protein antibodies (anti-MBP) in serum of CIS patients with inflammatory signs in MRI and in CSF and, as previously suggested,the incidence of more frequent and rapid progression to clinically definite MS (CDMS).


METHODS
133CIS patients were analysed for anti-MOG and anti-MBP (Western blot). Routine CSF and cranial MRI (quantitatively and qualitatively) measures were analyzed. 55 patients had a follow-up of at least 12 months or until conversion to CDMS.


RESULTS
Patients with anti-MOG and anti-MBP had an increased intrathecal IgG production and CSF white blood cell count(p = 0.048 and p = 0.036). When anti-MBP alone, or both antibodies were present the cranial MRI showed significantly more T2 lesions (p = 0.007 and p = 0.01,respectively). There was a trend for more lesion dissemination in anti-MBP positive patients (p = 0.076).Conversely, anti-MOG- and/or anti-MBP failed to predict conversion to CDMS in our follow-up group (n = 55). Only in female patients with at least one MRI lesion (n = 34) did the presence of anti-MOG correlate with more frequent (p = 0.028) and more rapid (p = 0.0209) transition to CDMS.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of anti-MOG or anti-MBP or both was not significantly associated with conversion to CDMS in our CIS cohort. However, patients with anti-MOG and anti-MBP had higher lesion load and more disseminated lesions in cranial MRI as well as higher values for CSF leucocytes and intrathecal IgG production. Our data support a correlation of anti-MOG and anti-MBP to inflammatory signs in MRI and CSF. The prognostic value of these antibodies for CDMS, however, seems to be less pronounced than previously reported.
Kuhle
Jens
J
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Lindberg
Raija L P
RL
Regeniter
Axel
A
Mehling
Matthias
M
Hoffmann
Francine
F
Reindl
Markus
M
Berger
Thomas
T
Radue
Ernst W
EW
Leppert
David
D
Kappos
Ludwig
L
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology*; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000906:Antibodies; C571326:MOG protein, human; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein