Antibodies to chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C: clinico-pathological correlates in neurological diseases.

Anti-chondroitin sulfates (ChSs) antibodies have been reported in neuropathy and neurodegenerative diseases. Differences in specificities may account for their association with different diseases. Sera from 303 neurological patients were tested for antibodies to ChSs A, B, C. Titers >/=51,200 were found in 16 patients (eight peripheral neuropathy, three motor neuron disease, four multiple sclerosis, one myelitis). Three patients also had anti-sulfatides antibodies, which in two cases cross-reacted with ChSs. By indirect immunofluorescence, positive sera stained nuclei on normal human peripheral nerve sections. These findings indicate that human anti-ChSs antibodies are broadly reactive and not specific to any neurological disease.