Cross-reactivity between myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and human endogenous retrovirus W protein: nanotechnological evidence for the potential trigger of multiple sclerosis

Author(s)

de Luca, Vanessa ^[1] ; Higa, Akemi Martins ^{[2, 1]} ; Romano, Camila Malta ^{[2, 3]} ; Mambrini, Giovanni Pimenta ^[1] ; Peroni, Luis Antonio ^[4] ; Trivinho-Strixino, Francisco ^[1] ; Leite, Fabio Lima ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Phys Chem & Math, Nanoneurobiophys Res Grp, BR-18052780 Sorocaba - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med, BR-05403000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Hosp Clin HCFMUSP LIM 52, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Rheabiotech Lab Res & Dev, BR-13084791 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Micron; v. 120, p. 66-73, MAY 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Experimental evidence supports the reactivity of autoantibodies against components of myelin sheath including the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). The MS etiology is still unknown, but some risk factors associated with immune dysregulation, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors are under investigation. The last consider the hypothesis of molecular mimicry mechanism, which is potentially triggered by viral antigen inducing MS autoimmunity. The Human Endogenous Retroviruses W family (HERV-W) is the subject of studies within this field, based on the detection of HERV-W envelope gene proteins in MS patients' samples. In the biomedical field of diagnosis and therapeutics, nanotechnology is of great use for the detailed study of molecular mechanisms involving specific interactions between biomolecules providing high specificity and sensitivity of response. In view of the significance of etiological aspects for the comprehension of MS mechanisms of action, we applied a nanotechnological approach designed for antibody detection. For this, we analyzed MOG peptide sequences similar to the HERV-W protein. These sequences were subjected to interaction with anti-HERV-W antibodies using atomic force spectroscopy (AFS) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) methods to survey the potential occurrence of molecular mimicry. Our results revealed the molecular recognition between the anti-HERV-W antibody and the HERV-W and MOG epitopes by AFS and AgNPs approaches. Specific non-linear shape of force curves and median adhesion force values within the expected range for an antigen-antibody interaction were obtained for HERV-W and MOG peptides, 163 pN and 178 pN, respectively, suggesting the occurrence of cross-reactivity in these systems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50869-6 - INCT 2014: on Organic Electronics
• Grantee: Roberto Mendonça Faria
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/06847-0 - Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles applied to immunoglobulins G detection
• Grantee: Akemi Martins Higa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master