IgM antibody specific for 2'-3' cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase I (CNPI), a protein enriched in oligodendrocytes and myelin membranes, is found in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of 75 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This project will explore the response to CNPI as a unique marker and specific probe for persistent viral infection in MS. The project will test the hypothesis that epitopes on CNP1 are structurally related to nucleotidyl moieties on herpes virus proteins.
The specific aims of the project are to (1) isolate CNPI epitopes and confirm CNPI modification, (2) examine anti-CNPI IgM from MS sera for reactivity with known herpes virus proteins, and (3) use anti-CNPI IgM to isolate viral proteins from the brain of MS patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AI042088-02
Application #
2673135
Study Section
Allergy & Clinical Immunology-1 (AITC)
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2000-08-31
Budget Start
1998-09-01
Budget End
1999-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
114400633
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10029