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

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 280; pp. 66 - 68
• Main Authors: Mameli, Giuseppe, Cossu, Davide, Cocco, Eleonora, Frau, Jessica, Marrosu, Maria Giovanna, Niegowska, Magdalena, Sechi, Leonardo Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.03.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Allergy and Immunology; Antibodies, Viral - analysis; Case-Control Studies; Endogenous Retroviruses - immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitopes - immunology; Female; HERV-Wenv; Humans; Humoral response; IFN-β therapy; Immunity, Humoral - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Neurology; Peptides - immunology; HERV-Wenv; IFN-β therapy; Humoral response
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.03.003

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. •Six antigenic peptides from HERV-Wenv protein were identified.•A peptide-based indirect ELISA was used to screen a population of 80 MS and 73 HCs.•Only two peptides were capable of inducing a strong humoral response in MS subjects.•Antibody values against these two peptides decreased after six months of IFN-β therapy.