Abnormal galactosylation of immunoglobulin G in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Background: Glycosylation alterations have been associated with the development of several human diseases and their animal models, including multiple sclerosis. Objectives: We aimed to determine whether immunoglobulin G galactosylation might be changed in multiple sclerosis. Methods: Immunoglobulin G was isolated from serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis or viral meningitis and control patients without history of inflammatory or autoimmune disease. A lectin-based assay was used to investigate potential galactosylation modifications of immunoglobulin G. Results and conclusion: Galactosylation of immunoglobulin G isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of control patients was found to be age- and gender-dependent. In addition, immunoglobulin G galactosylation was significantly altered in cerebrospinal fluid but not in serum of multiple sclerosis patients. Furthermore, this modification was correlated with an active progression of multiple sclerosis. Finally, the loss of galactosyl moieties was not simply associated with inflammation as no such change was detected in viral meningitis patients characterized by brain inflammation.