Journal of neuroimmunology
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In this study, we investigated whether hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and progenitors present in human cord blood can express nerve growth factor (NGF)-specific receptors, TrkA and p75. Our results showed a marked expression of TrkA and NGF in cord blood CD34(+) cells. A gradient of TrkA and NGF expression exists and is highest in cord blood CD34(+) cells, reduced in cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) and minimal in mononuclear cells isolated from adult peripheral blood. Our findings suggest that NGF may play a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors and indicate a different requirement for NGF by immune cells, depending on their state of maturity.
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Comparative Study
Myelin basic protein-reactive autoantibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients are characterized by low-affinity interactions.
The presence of autoantibodies to the immunodominant antigen, myelin basic protein (MBP), in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been poorly characterized. Many studies report detectable levels of autoantibodies to myelin basic protein though other studies, using similar techniques, report their absence. We compared a solution-phase assay that has detected clinically relevant autoantibodies in diabetes and other autoimmune diseases to solid phase assays similar to those used in previous reports. ⋯ Additional solution-phase measurements revealed that anti-MBP antibodies from individuals with SRV-induced demyelinating disease demonstrated a binding affinity profile consistent with that of polyclonal antibodies with a range of affinities from low to high. In contrast, antibodies to MBP in the serum of MS patients detected by ELISA did not bind soluble MBP in the same assay. These results indicate that the humoral response in patients with MS does not include moderate- or high-affinity autoantibodies to MBP.