Research:Repairing antibodies

Xu et al. Therapeutics to Promote CNS Repair: A Natural Human Neuron-Binding IgM Regulates Membrane-Raft Dynamics and Improves Motility in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Immunol. 2013;33 Suppl 1:50-6. doi: 10.1007/s10875-012-9795-8.

We have discovered a role for natural autoantibodies in central nervous system repair, remyelination and axon protection. These natural human antibodies are of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype, and they bind to the surface of neural cells. The epitope of the antibody includes sialic acid because treatment with sialidase disrupts the binding. A fully human recombinant form of one of these IgMs, rHIgM12, has the same properties as the serum-derived IgM. rHIgM12 enhanced polarized axonal outgrowth from primary neurons when presented as a substrate in vitro and improved motor functions in chronically Theiler's virus-infected SJL mice, a model of MS. rHIgM12 bound to neuronal surfaces and induced cholesterol and ganglioside (GM1) clustering, indicating that rHIgM12 functions through a mechanism of axonal membrane stabilization. Our work demonstrates that a natural human neuron-binding IgM can regulate membrane domain dynamics. This antibody has the potential to improve neurologic disease.


This study suggests there are antibodies that promote repair. This is an approach with some potential, although in some studies the data is not that compelling.   I guess proof will be in the pudding. We need a human trial. Do we know how to do this trial?

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