biostudies-literatureBeltran EAustrian Science Fund FWFDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftJubiläumsfond der Öst. Nationalbank67-83https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7785560biostudies-literatureUnknown141(1)Aim of our study was to identify the target auto-antigen in the central nervous system recognized by the immune system of a unique patient, who died more than 60 years ago from a disease with pathological changes closely resembling multiple sclerosis (MS), following a misguided immunization with lyophilized calf brain tissue. Total mRNA was isolated from formaldehyde fixed and paraffin embedded archival brain tissue containing chronic active inflammatory demyelinating lesions with inflammatory infiltrates rich in B-lymphocytes and plasma cells. Analysis of the transcriptome by next generation sequencing and reconstruction of the dominant antibody by bioinformatic tools revealed the presence of one strongly expanded B-cell clone, producing an autoantibody against a conformational epitope ofActa neuropathologicaArcheological neuroimmunology: resurrection of a pathogenic immune response from a historical case sheds light on human autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.PMC7785560P28476-B30I3335-B27SyNergy EXC 2145, project 390857198I 3334DO420/3-1I 333516919Jeitler MMeinl EDornmair KMader SPaunovic MLassmann HGebert DBradl MCesur EMalotka JBeltran EKawakami NHoftberger RfalseArcheological neuroimmunology: resurrection of a pathogenic immune response from a historical case sheds light on human autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.Aim of our study was to identify the target auto-antigen in the central nervous system recognized by the immune system of a unique patient, who died more than 60 years ago from a disease with pathological changes closely resembling multiple sclerosis (MS), following a misguided immunization with lyophilized calf brain tissue. Total mRNA was isolated from formaldehyde fixed and paraffin embedded archival brain tissue containing chronic active inflammatory demyelinating lesions with inflammatory infiltrates rich in B-lymphocytes and plasma cells. Analysis of the transcriptome by next generation sequencing and reconstruction of the dominant antibody by bioinformatic tools revealed the presence of one strongly expanded B-cell clone, producing an autoantibody against a conformational epitope of2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Jan2025-04-18T17:06:04.224Z2021-02-21T10:30:29ZS-EPMC77855603324214910.1007/s00401-020-02239-2