PRESENCE OF ANTI-CSL ANTIBODIES IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS - A SENSITIVE AND SPECIFIC TEST IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

The carbohydrate-binding protein (lectin) CSL is an antigen involved i n the stabilization of the myelin structure by interacting with the ca rbohydrate moiety of myelin glycoproteins. Since anti-CSL Fab fragment s were able to produce destruction of CNS myelin in vitro, CSL was con sidered as a potential immunological target in multiple sclerosis. The presence of anti-CSL antibodies has been examined in the cerebrospina l fluid of 1388 different patients with various neurological diseases. It is concluded that the presence of anti-CSL antibodies in the cereb rospinal fluid of patients less than 50 years old constitutes a very s ensitive and specific test for multiple sclerosis.