Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma distribution of anti-α-synuclein IgMs and IgGs in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease.

Jonas Folke, Rasmus Rydbirk, Annemette Løkkegaard, Anne-Mette Hejl, Kristian Winge, Charlotte Starhof, Lisette Salvesen, Lars Østergaard Pedersen, Susana Aznar, Bente Pakkenberg, Tomasz Brudek

Parkinsonism & related disorders 2021 Jun

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Ubiquitous naturally occurring autoantibodies (nAbs) against alpha-synuclein (α-syn) may play important roles in the pathogenesis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, we reported reduced high-affinity/avidity anti-α-syn nAbs levels in plasma from MSA and PD patients, along with distinct inter-group immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclass distributions. The extent to which these observations in plasma may reflect corresponding levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is unknown. Using competitive and indirect ELISAs, we investigated the affinity/avidity of CSF anti-α-syn nAbs as well as the CSF and plasma distribution of IgG subclasses and IgM nAbs in a cross-sectional cohort of MSA and PD patients. Repertoires of high-affinity/avidity anti-α-syn IgG nAbs were reduced in CSF samples from MSA and PD patients compared to controls. Furthermore, anti-α-syn IgM nAb levels were relatively lower in CSF and plasma from MSA patients but were reduced only in plasma from PD patients. Interestingly, anti-α-syn IgG subclasses presented disease-specific profiles both in CSF and plasma. Anti-α-syn IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 levels were relatively increased in CSF of MSA patients, whereas PD patients showed increased anti-α-syn IgG2 and reduced anti-α-syn IgG4 levels. Differences in the plasma/CSF distribution of anti-α-syn nAbs seem to be a common feature of synucleinopathies. Our data add further support to the notion that MSA and PD patients may have compromised immune reactivity towards α-syn. The differing α-syn-specific systemic immunological responses may reflect their specific disease pathophysiologies. These results are encouraging for further investigation of these immunological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jonas Folke, Rasmus Rydbirk, Annemette Løkkegaard, Anne-Mette Hejl, Kristian Winge, Charlotte Starhof, Lisette Salvesen, Lars Østergaard Pedersen, Susana Aznar, Bente Pakkenberg, Tomasz Brudek. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma distribution of anti-α-synuclein IgMs and IgGs in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism & related disorders. 2021 Jun;87:98-104