The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of organ- and nonorgan-sp
ecific autoantibodies in MS patients and evaluate whether the presence of a
utoantibodies is on indicator of disease activity and/or a prognosis factor
One hundred and five definite MS patients in different stages and with dif
ferent course and 75 blood donors were tested for the autoantibodies TgA, T
MA/TPO-A, PCA, ANA, aCl, SMA, AMA and ANCA. All patients were screened for
the LAC Autoantibodies to at least one autoantigen were found in 66.6% MS p
atients and in 13.3% controls (P < 0.001). The frequency of TgA, TMA/TPO-A,
ANA, aCl and SMA was statistically higher in patients than in controls. Ci
rculating ANCAs were found in seven MS, a never reported finding An early o
nset of MS (<20 years) was associated with a lower autoantibody frequency (
P < 0.01). Primary and secondary progressive MS had a higher antibody frequ
ency than relapsing-remitting (P<0.05) or benign (P<0.001) MS. Up to 86% of
patients were autoantibody-positive during the acute stage, bur only 30% o
f them remained positive during the remission stage (P < 0.001). A generali
sed immune dysregulation occurs in MS patients, mostly during the acute sta
ges and in the Progressive courses, involving activation of both autoreacti
ve Thl-cells (mainly linked to CNS lesions) and B-cells via Th2 cells.