Cross-reactive phage-displayed mimotopes lead to the discovery of mimicry between HSV-1 and a brain-specific protein

J Neuroimmunol. 2001 Feb 1;113(1):119-28. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(00)00398-2.

Abstract

We previously reported the selection of several families of phage-displayed peptide mimics (mimotopes) recognized by oligoclonal immunoglobulins present in the CSF of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To search for the natural antigens recognized by these antibodies, anti-sera were raised against one of the mimotopes and used as a probe in ELISA, Western blotting and immunoprecipitation experiments. Anti-mimotope IgG were found to cross-react with an epitope shared by a brain-specific factor conserved from rodents to humans, and the surface glycoprotein gB of HSV-1. These findings support the hypothesis that common viral infections are the triggering agents of self-reactive CSF antibodies, whose role in MS still remains to be elucidated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Brain Chemistry*
  • Cross Reactions / immunology*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Haplorhini
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Mimicry / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / virology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology*
  • Peptide Library
  • Rabbits
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Autoantibodies
  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Peptide Library
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein B, Simplexvirus