Higher Levels of IgG3 Antibodies in Serum, But Not in CSF, Distinguish Multiple Sclerosis From Other Neurological Disorders

Increased intrathecal IgG and oligoclonal bands (OCB) are seminal features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although no such differences in MS blood total IgG antibodies have been reported, serum OCB are a common and persistent finding in MS and have a systemic source. Recent studies showed that IgG3(+) B cells and higher levels of serum IgG3 are linked to the development of MS. Additionally, intrathecal IgG synthesis in MS is associated with IgG3 heavy chain gene single nucleotide polymorphisms, and there is a strong relationship between susceptibility to MS and an IgG3 restriction fragment length polymorphism. These studies support the role of IgG3 in disease pathogenesis. Using multiple immunoassays, we investigated levels of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG3 in sera and CSF of 102 MS patients (19 paired CSF and sera), 76 patients with other neurological disorders (9 paired CSF and sera), and 13 healthy controls. We show that higher levels of total IgG and IgG3 antibodies were detected in MS serum, but not in CSF, which distinguishes MS from other inflammatory and non-inflammatory neurological disorders, with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves 0.79 for both IgG3 & total IgG. Our data support the notion that IgG3 antibodies may be a potential candidate for MS blood biomarker development.

Automated summary

Increased levels of total IgG and IgG3 antibodies in serum are potential markers for distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neurological disorders. These antibodies are not detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), suggesting a systemic source. The role of IgG3 antibodies in MS pathogenesis is supported by their association with disease development and genetic polymorphisms. IgG3 antibodies may serve as a potential candidate for the development of MS blood biomarkers.