Anti-MOG and anti-MBP antibody subclasses in multiple sclerosis

In a subset of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients antibodies against myelin a ntigens seem to be important in the demyelinating process. In this study we investigated IgM, IgA and IgG serum antibodies against the myelin oligoden drocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and the myelin bask protein (MBP) in 261 MS pati ents, Seventy-two per cent had anti-MOG antibodies, 59% were anti-MBP serop ositive. The dominating antibody was anti-MOG IgM. A significant relationsh ip between IgA and a progressive disease course was found. The predominance of IgG1 together with the significantly associated occurrence of IgG3 agai nst MOG corresponds to the prevailing IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes in other autoi mmune diseases. Patients who actually suffered from a relapse were signific ant more often anti-MOG and anti-MBP IgG3 seropositive than those in remiss ion. However, patients treated either with intravenous immunoglobulins or i nterferon-beta showed a significant reduction of anti-MOG IgG3 antibodies.