Epitopes of HERV-Wenv induce antigen-specific humoral immunity in multiple sclerosis patients

J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Mar 15;280:66-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.03.003. Epub 2015 Mar 5.

Abstract

To verify the serological response mounted against antigenic peptides from HERV-Wenv protein, we analyzed 80 multiple sclerosis (MS) serum samples, 27 of which were re-analyzed after a 6-month follow-up IFN-β therapy, and 73 healthy controls. Indirect ELISAs were carried out to detect antibodies specific for all the synthetic peptides derived from HERV-Wenv. Two antigenic peptides, HERV-Wenv93-108 (31.25%, p<0.0001) and HERV-Wenv248-262 (15%, p=0.02), were highly recognized by MS patients' antibodies when compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, antibody titer against these two peptides slightly decreased after six months of IFN-β-based therapy.

Keywords: HERV-Wenv; Humoral response; IFN-β therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Peptides / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Peptides