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Autoreactivity against myelin basic protein in patients with chronic paraplegia

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Abstract

Introduction

Previous studies have shown the existence of either cellular or humoral MBP-reactive elements up to 5 years after spinal cord injury (SCI), but not the presence of both after 10 years.

Materials and methods

Twelve SCI patients, with more than 10 years of evolution, and 18 healthy blood donors were studied. Lymphocyte proliferation (colorimetric-BrdU ELISA assay) and antibody titers against MBP (ELISA Human IgG MBP-specific assay) were assessed.

Results

SCI patients presented a significant T-cell proliferation against MBP (lymphocyte proliferation index: 3.7 ± 1.5, mean ± SD) compared to control individuals (0.7 ± 0.3; P < 0.001). Humoral response analysis yielded a significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the antibody titers of controls and SCI patients. A significant correlation between cellular and humoral responses was observed. Finally, patients with an ASIA B presented the highest immune responses.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of both cellular and humoral responses against MBP in the chronic stages (>10 years) of injury.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT), grant no. 57204. We would like to thank M.Sc. Fela Mendlovic for providing technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Huixquilucan, Edo. de México, Mexico

    D. Zajarías-Fainsod, J. Carrillo-Ruiz, H. Mestre & A. Ibarra

  2. Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Huixquilucan, Edo. de México, Mexico

    J. Carrillo-Ruiz

  3. Unidad de Neurocirugía Funcional y Estereotaxia y Radiocirugía del Hospital General de México, O.D., Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    J. Carrillo-Ruiz

  4. Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    I. Grijalva

  5. Centro de Investigación del Proyecto Camina A.C, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    I. Grijalva, I. Madrazo & A. Ibarra

  6. Centro de Neurociencias, Hospital Angeles del Pedregal, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    I. Madrazo

Authors
  1. D. Zajarías-Fainsod
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  2. J. Carrillo-Ruiz
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  3. H. Mestre
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  4. I. Grijalva
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  5. I. Madrazo
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  6. A. Ibarra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Ibarra.

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Zajarías-Fainsod, D., Carrillo-Ruiz, J., Mestre, H. et al. Autoreactivity against myelin basic protein in patients with chronic paraplegia. Eur Spine J 21, 964–970 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2060-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2060-7

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