|
|||||
|
|
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum antibodies against neurofilaments in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
|
| Authors: | L Fialová J Švarcová A Bartos P Ridzoň I Malbohan O Keller R Rusina |
| Institution: | 1. First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic;2. First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Charles University in Prague, General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic;3. Department of Neurology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic;4. Prague Psychiatric Center, Prague, Czech Republic;5. Department of Neurology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education, Prague, Czech Republic |
| Abstract: | Background: The aim of the study was to assess autoimmune involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We measured IgG antibodies against light (NFL) and medium (NFM) subunits of neurofilaments using ELISA in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 38 ALS patients and 20 controls. Results: Serum levels of anti‐NFL were higher in ALS patients than in controls (P < 0.005). Serum anti‐NFL antibodies and intrathecal anti‐NFM antibodies were related to patient disability (serum anti‐NFL: P < 0.05; intrathecal anti‐NFM: P < 0.05). Anti‐NFL levels were significantly correlated with anti‐NFM levels in ALS (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.0001) in the CSF, but not in serum. Anti‐NFL and anti‐NFM antibodies significantly correlated between serum and CSF in the ALS group (anti‐NFL: P < 0.0001; anti‐NFM: P < 0.001) and in the control group (anti‐NFL: P < 0.05; anti‐NFM: P < 0.05). Conclusions: Autoimmune humoral response to neurocytoskeletal proteins is associated with ALS. |
| Keywords: | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis anti‐neurofilament antibodies cerebrospinal fluid ELISA serum |