Project R-14995

Unraveling the biological role and prognostic potential of novel identified autoantibodies in traumatic SCI patients. (Research)

Current prognostic methods for spinal cord injury (SCI) are limited in their usefulness due to the heterogenous SCI patient population and their lack of feasibility and reliability in early unstable patients. This underscores the need for new prognostic strategies. Here, we aim to study the biological relevance of novel autoantibodies for SCI that we identified in a previous project and to develop a biomarker panel consisting of autoantibodies and neurological markers for SCI prognosis. The target antigens of the novel identified autoantibodies will be studied in terms of antigen identity and tissue expression. The active contribution of the novel antibodies to the disease process will be investigated using the contusion SCI mouse model. In addition, the prognostic potential of the novel antibodies will be studied in a biomarker panel together with known autoantibodies, neurological markers and imaging parameters using a large cohort of plasma samples from SCI patients and controls. Taken together, this project can lead to novel insights and therapeutic targets focused on autoantibody involvement in SCI pathology and most importantly to a biomarker panel for SCI prognosis. This will eventually improve prognosis and treatment decisions in SCI management.

01 July 2024 - 30 June 2026