A Novel Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay for the Detection of Autoantibodies to Myelin-associated Glycoprotein

Overview

Journal Front Neurol

Specialty Neurology

Date 2024 Jan 3

PMID 38169815

Authors

Sara Mariotto

Piera De Gaspari

Dominik Jager

Stefanie Hahn

Cindy Forni

Sandra Saschenbrecker

Erik Lattwein

Alessandro Dinoto

Sergio Ferrari

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy with antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the peripheral nervous system caused by pathogenic IgM recognizing the human natural killer-1 glycoepitope expressed on MAG. This study aimed to analyze the performance of a new indirect immunofluorescence cell-based assay (CBA, EUROIMMUN) for the detection of anti-MAG IgM. Antibody reactivity was determined in sera from 95 patients with clinical and neurophysiological evidence of anti-MAG-associated neuropathy and in control samples from 55 patients with other forms of peripheral neuropathy. Compared to the results of the gold standard method (ELISA, Bühlmann) and using samples at a dilution of 1:100, the CBA had a sensitivity of 98.9% and a specificity of 100% (PPV 100%, NPV 98.2%). In conclusion, the CBA allows the detection of antibodies to MAG using an easy and standardized technique, and it presents a sensitive and specific alternative to the more time-consuming ELISA. Larger studies are needed to address anti-MAG titer monitoring in parallel with clinical activity.

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