Quantitative proteomics reveals Piccolo as a candidate serological correlate of recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause. However, about a quarter of GBS patients have suffered a recent bacterial or viral infection, and axonal forms of the disease are especially common in these patients. Proteomics is a good methodological approach for the discovery of disease biomarkers. Until recently, most proteomics studies of GBS and other neurodegenerative diseases have focused on the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The results showed that Piccolo, a protein that is essential in the maintenance of active zone structure, constitutes a potential serological correlate of recovery from GBS.

• 1
  The results showed that Piccolo, a protein that is essential in the maintenance of active zone structure, constitutes a potential serological correlate of recovery from GBS.
• 2
  The results of the ELISA corroborated the proteomics results by showing higher Piccolo protein concentration in sera from GBS patients when compared to SCI patients and healthy individuals.
• 3
  Additionally, a negative correlation was obtained between Piccolo serum levels and patient functional status (Table 1), suggesting again an increase in Piccolo serum levels during disease recovery (Figure 3C).