The role of antibody affinity for specific antigens in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory nervous system disorders

Abstract

Affinity maturation has previously been shown with assays for total IgG for specific antigens using the technique of competition by chaotropic ions. We have extended this technique to individual clones and followed the maturation of clones during the course of herpes encephalitis. This has important implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.