In vitro IgG synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes of multiple sclerosis patients and normal individuals. Effect of multiple sclerosis and non-multiple sclerosis brain antigens.

In vitro IgG synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured for 7 days in serum-free medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG synthesis by lymphocytes of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and normal individuals in the presence of MS and non-MS brain antigens and in the absence of brain antigens was investigated. In vitro IgG synthesis by lymphocytes in the absence of any antigen was found to be similar for both groups. Non-MS brain antigens stimulated IgG synthesis by normal lymphocytes but not by MS lymphocytes. MS brain antigens were not found to stimulate IgG synthesis by lymphocytes of either group. The significance of the above-mentioned finding is discussed.