Antibodies to the RNA-binding protein hnRNP A1 contribute to neurodegeneration in a model of central nervous system autoimmune inflammatory disease

Background Neurodegeneration is believed to be the primary cause of permanent, long-term disability in patients with multiple sclerosis. The cause of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis appears to be multifactorial. One mechanism that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis is the targeting of neuronal and axonal antigens by autoantibodies. Multiple sclerosis patients develop antibodies to the RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), which is enriched in neurons. We hypothesized that anti-hnRNP A1 antibodies would contribute to neurodegeneration in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.