Recombinant forms of myelin antigens expressed on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as a tool for identification of autoantibodies in serum of multiple sclerosis patients.

A contribution of B cells and autoantibodies has been demonstrated in MS leading to interest in the use of such autoantibodies as diagnostic or prognostic markers and as a basis for immunomodulatory therapy. ELISA and Western fail to detect reactivity against epitopes displayed by native antigens expressed on myelin sheats. We describe a cell-based assay that specifically identifies serum antibodies directed against three major myelin autoantigens: MBP, PLP and MOG.