Serum IgG of patients with relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy immunoreacts with Sox2-positive glial cells of the optic nerve

Abstract

Background: Given the significance of glial cells in maintenance of neurons, antibodies directed against glial cells of the optic nerve might reasonably be expected to have a pathogenic impact in relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (RION).

Methods: We investigated IgG immunoreactive with the optic nerve tissue by indirect immunohistochemistry using sera of 20 RION patients. Commercial Sox2-antibody was used for double immunolabeling.

Results: Serum IgG of 5 RION patients reacted with cells aligned in the interfascicular regions of the optic nerve. IgG binding sites significantly co-localized with the Sox2-antibody.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that a subset of RION patients may harbor anti-glial antibodies.

Keywords: Antibody; Autoimmunity; Glia; Optic neuritis; Sox2.