Analysis of antibodies to surface epitopes of contactin-2 in multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2012 Mar;244(1-2):103-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.12.023. Epub 2012 Jan 14.

Abstract

Contactin-2 was recently identified as an autoantigen targeted by T-cells and autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we analyzed the frequency of antibodies to contactin-2 (contactin-2-ab) by a cell-based assay in the serum from 105 MS patients and at least 5 years of follow-up (19 clinically isolated syndromes, 51 relapsing-remitting, 20 secondary-progressive, and 15 primary-progressive). Contactin-2-ab were detected in 4 (7.8%) relapsing-remitting patients. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics were not significantly different from the rest of relapsing-remitting patients. In conclusion, contactin-2-ab are identified in a minority of MS patients but their presence is not associated with a particular clinical-radiological profile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • Contactin 2 / blood
  • Contactin 2 / immunology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Recurrence
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • CNTN2 protein, human
  • Contactin 2
  • Epitopes