Unable to Repeat the Autoimmune target in MS

Nerrant E, Salsac C, Charif M, Ayrignac X, Carra-Dalliere C, Castelnovo G, Goulabchand R, Tisseyre J, Raoul C, Eliaou JF, Labauge P, Vincent T. Lack of confirmation of anti-inward rectifying potassium channel 4.1 antibodies as reliable markers of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2014 Apr  [Epub ahead of print]

BACKGROUND. Auto-antibodies against the potassium channel inward rectifying potassium channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) have previously been identified in 46% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES:to confirm these findings.

METHODS:we evaluated the presence of anti-Kir4.1 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence in 268 MS patients, 46 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and 45 healthy controls.
RESULTS:anti-Kir4.1 antibodies were found in 7.5% of MS patients, 4.3% of OND patients and 4.4% of healthy controls. Immunofluorescence analysis did not identify any specific staining.
CONCLUSIONS:we confirmed the presence of anti-Kir4.1 antibodies in MS patients, but at a much lower prevalence than previously reported.



We knew this was arriving since it was documented in ECTRIMS some time ago. The original paper suggested that over 40% of MSers had antibodies against this molecule an ion channel. The frequency mentioned here is about tens times less. So back to the drawing board with regard to the nature of the autoantigen in MS. However, there will be more studies. Neverthe less it further shows there is an autoimmune component in MS.

This is science and replication is part of the process. Often it doesn't replicate, but if it is real then people will replicate is and knowledge will move forward.

Wonder what Knowledge will come from this weeks AAN meeting in USA?. What do you think are the hot topics...you must have read the abstracts by now.

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