Immunoglobulin Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Increased relative concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of immunoglobulin G (lgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), the two complement factors β_1c/β_1Aglobulins and β_1Eglobulin, and transferrin, were found in CSF specimens obtained during exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS), when compared with CSF specimens obtained during remission from the same patients. The absolute concentration of β-trace protein showed a tendency to increase in CSF during exacerbations. No significant differences of the γ-globulin band pattern were observed on comparison by agarose electrophoresis of CSF specimens from individual patients obtained during exacerbation and remission. Variations of the absolute concentrations of immunoglobulin light chain antigenic determinants of type kappa and lambda during exacerbations and remissions indicate the synthesis within the central nervous system of oligoclonal immunoglobulins with varying light chain type during different phases of the disease.