The development of an immunoassay to measure myelin basic protein autoantibodies in human blood and the determination of its diagnostic value in multiple sclerosis

grantor: University of TorontoMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with possible autoimmune aetiology. Although the autoantigen responsible for MS has not been conclusively identified, myelin basic protein (MBP) has been proposed as a candidate autoantigen. Antibodies against MBP were detected in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and the antibody levels correlated with active MS disease status. To date, both the presence of MBP autoantibodies and their clinical utility in MS is controversial. In order to address this issue, we developed a serum/plasma assay, hence avoiding the invasive technique of lumbar puncture required for CSF collection. Using plasma from 94 patients with clinically definite MS, we have achieved a clinical sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 95% through the measurement of circulating MBP autoantibodies, alone. This simple, rapid and non-invasive assay offers a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of MS.M.Sc