myelin-basic-protein and Lyme-Disease

The method of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was used for detection of antibodies against the basic protein myelin (antimyelin antibodies) for a group of serum samples (n 36) with positive anti-borrelia immunoglobulins IgG and IgM (ELISA-Borrelia afzelii) and their immune complexes (ELISA-PEG). Antimyelin antibodies (ELISA-Doxa Kit-Myelin Basic Protein Antibodies) were assessed in 31% (n 11) of examined serum samples of patients with the working diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Statistical analysis (p 0.07) confirmed a more frequent incidence of antimyelin antibodies in younger female subjects (age 31 years) as compared with a group of sera (n 25) where the authors did not record the formation of immunoglobulins against the basic myelin protein (age 51 years). Neither the value of titres nor the frequency of detected anti-borrelia IgG and IgM and immune complexes did not differ significantly in the two groups. From the assembled results ensues that in the course of Lyme borreliosis, in chronic affection of organs an autoimmune reaction may develop where the basic myelin protein is damaged (demyelinizatio) and subsequently antimyelin antibodies are formed.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Autoantibodies; Borrelia burgdorferi; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Lyme Disease; Male; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein

Borrelial encephalomyelitis, a rare manifestation of Lyme borreliosis, may present as a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disease. It is postulated that in MS, inflammation of the white matter is caused by a T-cell response directed to myelin antigens. Here, we examined whether a T-cell autoimmune response may play a pathogenetic role in Borrelia-associated white matter disease mediated by cross-reactivity between myelin basic protein (MBP) and B. burgdorferi. We generated a total of 1760 short-term T-cell lines against B. burgdorferi or MBP from two patients with Borrelial encephalomyelitis and compared these with three patients with late Lyme disease, one patient with transverse myelitis, eight patients with MS, and four healthy controls. While a few T-cell lines recognized both B. burgdorferi and MBP, T-cell clones from these lines responded only to the antigen of the original stimulation. Thus, our data do not provide evidence for cross-reactivity between MBP and B. burgdorferi.

Topics: Borrelia burgdorferi Group; Cross Reactions; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Humans; Lyme Disease; Myelin Basic Protein; T-Lymphocytes

Because of an association of human neuroborreliosis with the development of an antibody response against an antigen in neural tissue that cross-reacts with an epitope on the flagellin protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, C3H transgenic mice were created that expressed the flagellin epitope (amino acids 213-224) as a fusion protein with myelin basic protein. The transgenic mice expressed the flagellin epitope selectively in myelinated regions of the nervous system. Both transgenic and non-transgenic mice developed an antibody response to the flagellin epitope during B. burgdorferi infection and both developed arthritis and carditis. However, no lesions were found in the central nervous system of either type of mouse for up to 8 weeks after infection. The data indicate that expression of the flagellin 213-24 epitope in mice does not result in neurologic disease, suggesting that B. burgdorferi flagellin antibodies may not be directly implicated in neuroborreliosis.

Topics: Animals; Brain Diseases; Cross Reactions; Epitopes; Female; Flagellin; Humans; Lyme Disease; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Transgenic; Myelin Basic Protein

Topics: Antigens, Bacterial; Autoantigens; Autoimmune Diseases; Borrelia burgdorferi Group; Cross Reactions; Flagellin; Lyme Disease; Myelin Basic Protein; Open Reading Frames; Sequence Homology

An autoimmune response to myelin basic protein (MBP) has been proposed to participate in the development of the chronic neurologic manifestations that may accompany Borrelia burgdorferi-induced Lyme disease. Using an immunospot assay, we counted cells secreting antibodies to MBP. Anti-MBP IgG antibody-secreting cells were detected in CSF from eight of 13 consecutive patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis irrespective of stage of disease. The numbers were between 1/370 and 1/5,000 CSF cells (mean, 1/1,250 in the 13 patients). The highest numbers were encountered in two patients with severe signs of CNS involvement. The numbers decreased in parallel with clinical improvement after treatment. Anti-MBP IgG antibody-secreting cells were also observed in the CSF from patients with a variety of other inflammatory diseases of the nervous system, and their role in the development of tissue damage remains unsettled. Anti-MBP IgG antibody-secreting cells were not detected in the patients' blood, reflecting accumulation of this autoantibody response to CSF.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibody-Producing Cells; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lyme Disease; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein; Nervous System Diseases

Two children with acute transverse myelopathy following adenovirus and Borrelia Burgdorferi infections are presented. The diagnosis stems from the clinical presentation, the determination of specific antibodies in serum and the favorable response to penicillin treatment in the case of neuroborreliosis. Both children made a good recovery. The cerebrospinal fluid examination showed a highly increased myelin basic protein concentration, indicating demyelination.

Topics: Adenovirus Infections, Human; Borrelia burgdorferi Group; Child; Demyelinating Diseases; Humans; Lyme Disease; Male; Myelin Basic Protein; Myelitis, Transverse; Penicillins

84 patients in the second or third stages of serologically diagnosed Lyme disease suffering from different forms of central as well as peripheral nervous system involvement were tested for the participation of autoimmune mechanisms. Cell hypersensitivity to the encephalitogenic basic protein and to antigens from peripheral myelin was evaluated on an Opton cytopherometer according to the effect of the macrophage slowing factor--liberated during short-term incubation of sensibilized lymphocytes by the respective antigen--on the mobility of tannin-treated sheep red blood cells in an electric field. Judged by the presence of autoimmune reactions. Lyme disease has come to occupy a prominent position compared with previously examined other types of neuroinfections. An explanation can be sought in disordered immunoregulating mechanisms, even though the changes in total and active T lymphocytes were not statistically significant. Data on immunological changes are relevant for the indication of immunomodulating therapy as a suitable complement to antibiotic treatment.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Autoimmunity; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Lyme Disease; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein; Nerve Tissue Proteins

Topics: Aged; Antibodies; Humans; Lyme Disease; Male; Myelin Basic Protein

Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Borrelia; HLA-D Antigens; Humans; Lyme Disease; Lymphocyte Activation; Myelin Basic Protein; Myelitis; T-Lymphocytes