MYELIN DEGENERATION IN MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY DETECTED BY UNIQUE ANTIBODIES

A rabbit antiserum (anti-EP), induced against a synthetic peptide corr esponding to residues 68 to 86 of guinea pig myelin basic protein, pow erfully immunostained abnormal-appearing oligodendrocytic processes an d cell bodies in demyelinating areas associated with multiple system a trophy (MSA), However, as we reported previously, the antiserum, which is highly specific for the sequence QDENPVV corresponding to human my elin basic protein residues 82 to 88, failed to recognize any structur es in normal human brain. QD-9, a mouse monoclonal antibody raised aga inst human myelin basic protein residues 69 to 88, which also recogniz es specifically the epitope QDENPVV, gave the same results as did anti -EP. The unusual epitope recognized by anti-EP/QD-9 antibodies appears to be accessible in areas of myelin degeneration, and the antibodies have been shown to detect such areas in multiple sclerosis and infarct ed brains. These antibodies detect myelin degeneration more widely tha n previous conventional methods. The present study emphasizes the impo rtance of myelin degeneration in the pathogenesis of multiple system a trophy.