Antibody response against HERV-W in patients with MOG-IgG associated disorders, multiple sclerosis and NMOSD

Increased expression of the retroviruses of HERV-W family has been linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology; nothing is known at the moment about MOG-IgG associated disorders. We compared antibody response against HERV-W peptides among patients with MOG-IgG associated disorders, multiple sclerosis (MS) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). A total of 102 serum samples were retrospectively analyzed. Antibody reactivity against HERV-W env peptides was similar in MOG-IgG associated disorders and MS, but different from AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD. Our findings expand the diagnostic role of HERV-W antibodies to the spectrum of demyelinating disorders associated with MOG-IgG.