title: Autoantibodies to Non-myelin Antigens as Contributors to the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: For years, investigators have sought to prove that myelin antigens are the primary targets of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent experiments have begun to challenge this assumption, particularly when studying the neurodegenerative phase of MS. T-lymphocyte responses to myelin antigens have been extensively studied, and are likely early contributors to the pathogenesis of MS. Antibodies to myelin antigens have a much more inconstant association with the pathogenesis of MS. Recent studies indicate that antibodies to non-myelin antigens such as neurofilaments, neurofascin, RNA binding proteins and potassium channels may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. The purpose of this review is to analyze recent studies that examine the role that autoantibodies to non-myelin antigens might play in the pathogenesis of MS.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Sangmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Lidia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Yoojin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
keywords: Autoimmunity; Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1); Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1); Multiple sclerosis; Neurodegeneration; RNA binding protein; Spastic paraparesis