Immunoglobulins and Measles Antibodies in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is characterized by elevated total protein and IgG concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), elevated IgG and sometimes elevated IgA concentrations in serum, normal concentrations of β1C/β1A globulins and β1E globulin in CSF, the occurrence of oligoclonal immunoglobulins in CSF and sometimes in serum, and by elevated measles antibody titers in both body fluids. Preparative electrophoresis showed the presence in CSF, but not in serum, of a gamma band containing an excess of IgG molecules of type K, and with hemagglutination-inhibiting, complement-fixing, and antiribonucleoprotein antibodies against measles virus. This observation indicates synthesis of oligoclonal IgG with measles antibody activity within the CNS in SSPE. Evidence is obtained for this synthesis being more pronounced for antibodies against the ribonucleoprotein component of the measles virus than for antibodies against measles virus envelope components.