[Binding of immunoglobulins of the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients to oligodendrocytes in culture].

There is often, in multiple sclerosis (MS) an intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) with an electrophoretic oligoclonal pattern. The target of those IgG, as well as their possible pathogenic role in the demyelinating process remain unknown and have led to many controversies. We have tested the hypothesis of an oligodendroglial target for those Ig, using a double labelling indirect immunofluorescent assay. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ig were collected from 28 MS patients (with either progressive or remitting-relapsing disease) and 25 patients with other neurological diseases. Ig binding has been tested on rat and human oligodendrocytes, isolated on a Percoll gradient and maintained 24 to 48 hours in culture. In our experimental conditions, we have never been able to detect any specific binding of MS CSF Ig on those oligodendrocytes, identified by double labelling immunofluorescence with an anti-galactocerebroside antibody.