Epitope specificity of serum antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein: Influence of relapses and immunomodulatory treatments.

Only few reports are available on the epitope specificity of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study we provide a precise characterization of the epitope specificity of serum antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of MOG, including IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulin isotypes in 28 relapsing remitting MS patients and report that linear epitopes amino-acid (aa) 37-48 and aa42-53 are immunodominant. Recently experienced relapses intensified the anti-MOG peptide antibody response. Immunomodulatory treatment with interferon-beta or glatiramer-acetate had no major impact on the anti-MOG peptide immunoreactivity after 1 year of therapy.