Glycan profiling of multiple sclerosis oligoclonal bands with MALDI-TOF

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disease that primarily affects young adults. In this condition, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of nerve cells, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms. MS diagnosis often relies on the analysis of oligoclonal bands (OCBs), which involves detecting oligoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. The objective of this study was to investigate the glycosylation profiles of IgG in patients suspected of having MS, using glycan analysis with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Serum samples were analysed, and the IgG glycosylation patterns were compared across different OCB types. Our findings suggest that alterations in IgG glycans may serve as potential biomarkers for MS, providing insights into the disease's molecular mechanisms and aiding in early diagnosis. This study highlights the importance of glycomics in understanding the pathogenesis of MS and in the development of novel diagnostic techniques.