Relevance of anti-myelin antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis

Antibodies directed against myelin antigens have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS). Although anti-myelin antibodies have been implicated in central nervous system (CNS) demyelination, it is unclear to what extent anti-myelin antibodies contribute to MS pathogenesis. In this dissertation, the role of antibodies in MS and in the animal model experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is addressed in eight chapters: Chapter 1: A review on antibodies, complement and Fc receptors in MS Chapter 2: A review on antibodies, complement and Fc receptors in several models of EAE Chapter 3: An in vivo study to the role Fcgamma receptors (FcgR), and interactions between FcgR and anti-MOG antibodies in EAE Chapter 4: A genetic study on FcgR polymorphisms in MS patients and healthy donors Chapter 5: An immunohistochemical study to describe deposition of complement activation products, antibodies and expression of FcgR in active demyelinating MS lesions Chapter 6: The description of a new method to measure antibodies to human whole myelin in human serum Chapter 7: Application of the myelin flow cytometry assay to study the clinical relevance of anti-myelin antibodies Chapter 8: Summary and discussion of the previous chaptersDijkstra, C.D. [Promotor]Amor, S. [Copromotor]Bö, L. [Copromotor