Increased anti-KIR4.1 antibodies in multiple sclerosis: Could it be a marker of disease relapse?

Background: Screening of putative autoimmune targets in multiple sclerosis (MS) revealed a proportion of patients carrying antibodies (Abs) against KIR4.1, a potassium channel that shares functional properties with AQP4. Both are localized at the perivascular astrocytic processes. Aims: To measure a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multiple sclerosis 2015-04, Vol.21 (5), p.572-579
Main Authors: Brill, Livnat, Goldberg, Lotem, Karni, Arnon, Petrou, Panayiota, Abramsky, Oded, Ovadia, Haim, Ben-Hur, Tamir, Karussis, Dimitrios, Vaknin-Dembinsky, Adi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Autoantibodies - analysis
Biomarkers - analysis
Child
Diagnosis, Differential
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Humans
Male
Multiple Sclerosis - immunology
Neuromyelitis Optica - immunology
Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying - immunology
Prognosis
Recurrence
Reproducibility of Results
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Summary:Background: Screening of putative autoimmune targets in multiple sclerosis (MS) revealed a proportion of patients carrying antibodies (Abs) against KIR4.1, a potassium channel that shares functional properties with AQP4. Both are localized at the perivascular astrocytic processes. Aims: To measure anti-KIR4.1 Abs in the serum of MS and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients, and to identify the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients harboring anti-KIR4.1 Abs. Methods: We measured anti-KIR4.1 Abs in serum, using the peptide KIR4.1 (83–120) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum levels of anti-KIR4.1 Abs were significantly higher in MS and NMO patients than in healthy controls (HCs); with Abs detected in 21 of 80, 10 of 45, and 2 of 32 individuals, respectively (MS versus HC, p < 0.05). The level of anti-KIR4.1 Abs was significantly higher during MS relapse, versus remission (p = 0.04). The clinical characteristics of our study patients did not vary based on KIR4.1 positivity. Conclusions: Anti-KIR4.1 Abs were found in similar proportions of patients with MS and NMO, at a significantly higher level than observed in HCs; consequently, the presence of Abs does not discriminate between these demyelinating diseases. However, anti-KIR4.1 Ab levels differed in MS patients during relapse and remission; as such, they may represent a marker of disease exacerbation.
ISSN:1352-4585
1477-0970
DOI:10.1177/1352458514551779