CSF oligoclonal IgG bands are not associated with ALS progression and prognosis.

Klose, Veronika; Jesse, Sarah; Lewerenz, Jan; Kassubek, Jan; Dorst, Johannes; Tumani, Hayrettin; Ludolph, Albert C.; Roselli, Francesco

Introduction: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive motoneuron degeneration through cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms; and the involvement of the innate and adaptive immune system has been hypothesized based on human and murine model data. We have explored if B-cell activation and IgG responses, as detected by IgG Oligoclonal bands (OCB) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, were associated with ALS or with a subgroup of patients with distinct clinical features. Methods: IgG OCB were determined in patients affected by ALS (n=457), Alzheimer Disease (n=516), Mild Cognitive Impairment (n=91), Tension-type Headache (n=152) and idiopathic Facial Palsy (n=94). For ALS patients, clinico-demographic and survival data were prospectively collected in the Register Schabia. Results: The prevalence of IgG OCB is comparable in ALS and the four neurological cohorts. When the OCB pattern was considered (highlighting either intrathecal or systemic B-cells activation), no effect of OCB pattern on clinic-demographic parameters and overall. ALS patients with intrathecal IgG synthesis (type 2 and 3) were more likely to display infectious, inflammatory or systemic autoimmune conditions. Discussion: These data suggest that OCB are not related to ALS pathophysiology but rather are a finding possibly indicative a coincidental infectious or inflammatory comorbidity that merits further investigation.

AMYOTROPHIC lateral sclerosis; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; CEREBROSPINAL fluid; MILD cognitive impairment; CELL death

Frontiers in Neurology, 2023, p1

1664-2295

Academic Journal

10.3389/fneur.2023.1170360