Neuroimmunology : Immunoglobulins and the Intrathecal Polyspecific Immune

Intrathecally synthesized antibodies, detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can have two different sources: a causative persisting antigen or a polyspecific concomitant immune response. The classical view of the immune response is the clonal selection of a B lymphocyte clone producing specific antibodies against the invading microorganism. As always several clones are found to fit the specific antigen, we speak about an “oligoclonal” immune reaction. In addition to the oligoclonal antibodies against the specific causative antigen each immune reaction produces a wide spectrum of different antibody-species not connected with the causative antigen. This “polyspecific immune response” does not depend on the presence of a corresponding persisting antigen (13) and is of lower intensities than for the causative antigen (4, 5).