The production of autoantibodies to nerve tissue glycolipid antigens in patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries
Taranova, N.P.; Makarov, A.I.; Amelina, O.A.; Luchakova, O.S.; Loboda, E.B.; Leĭkin, I.B.
Zhurnal Voprosy Neirokhirurgii Imeni N. N. Burdenko 1992(4-5): 21-24
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-8817 PMID: 1281366 Document Number: 391976
The production of autoantibodies (AAB) to the specific antigen of myelin-containing components of the nervous tissue galactocerebroside (GalC) was revealed in 117 patients with traumatic injuries to the spinal cord of various severity in periods of 18 months to 46 years after the injury. The degree of nervous system destruction, the type of the course of posttraumatic myelopathy, and the level of production of AAB to GalC were found interrelated. The existence of AAB provides evidence of sensitization of the immune system to nervous tissue antigens in spinal cord injury, while the level of AAB to GalC reflects the activity of the continuing destructive process due to the injuring effect of AAB under conditions of impaired permeability of the blood-brain barrier and shows the desirability of desensitization therapy.