Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir4.1

Title: Increased anti-KIR4.1 antibodies in multiple sclerosis: could it be a marker of disease relapse?

Authors: Livnat Brill, Lotem Goldberg, Arnon Karni, Panayiota Petrou, Oded Abramsky, Haim Ovadia, Tamir Ben-Hur, Dimitrios Karussis, Adi Vaknin-Dembinsky

Journal, date & volume: Mult. Scler., 2015 Apr , 21, 572-9

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25392324

Abstract
Screening of putative autoimmune targets in multiple sclerosis (MS) revealed a proportion of patients carrying antibodies (Abs) against KIR4.1, a potassium channel that shares functional properties with AQP4. Both are localized at the perivascular astrocytic processes.To measure anti-KIR4.1 Abs in the serum of MS and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients, and to identify the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients harboring anti-KIR4.1 Abs.We measured anti-KIR4.1 Abs in serum, using the peptide KIR4.1 (83-120) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Serum levels of anti-KIR4.1 Abs were significantly higher in MS and NMO patients than in healthy controls (HCs); with Abs detected in 21 of 80, 10 of 45, and 2 of 32 individuals, respectively (MS versus HC, p < 0.05). The level of anti-KIR4.1 Abs was significantly higher during MS relapse, versus remission (p = 0.04). The clinical characteristics of our study patients did not vary based on KIR4.1 positivity.Anti-KIR4.1 Abs were found in similar proportions of patients with MS and NMO, at a significantly higher level than observed in HCs; consequently, the presence of Abs does not discriminate between these demyelinating diseases. However, anti-KIR4.1 Ab levels differed in MS patients during relapse and remission; as such, they may represent a marker of disease exacerbation.