Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and/or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and/or radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) or a predisposition for either condition in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from said subject by (a) contacting said sample with a protein; and (b) detecting the formation of a protein-anti-KIR4.1 antibody complex; wherein said protein is KIR4.1, wherein glycosylation of the large extracellular domain of said KIR4.1 is as in human oligodendrocytes or glycosylation of the large extracellular domain is absent; and wherein the formation of said complex is indicative of MS, CIS, RIS or a predisposition therefore. Furthermore provided is an antibody or fragment or derivative thereof competing with the anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from a patient having MS.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peptide comprising or consisting of at least 8 consecutive amino acid residues of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, provided that said peptide does not consist of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, or a corresponding peptidomimetic, wherein said peptide or peptidomimetic binds to an anti-KIR4.1 antibody comprised in a sample from a patient having multiple sclerosis or a predisposition therefor. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from said subject, wherein the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in said sample is indicative of multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis. Also provided are novel means and methods for the therapy of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and/or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and/or radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) or a predisposition for either condition in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody rat anti-KIR4.1 in a sample obtained from said subject by (a) contacting said sample with a protein; and (b) detecting the formation of a protein-anti-KIR4.1 antibody complex; wherein said protein is KIR4.1, wherein glycosylation of the large extracellular domain of said KIR4.1 is as in human oligodendrocytes or glycosylation of the large extracellular domain is absent; and wherein the formation of said complex is indicative of MS, CIS, RIS or a predisposition therefore. Furthermore provided is an antibody or fragment or derivative thereof competing with the anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from a patient having MS.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peptide comprising or consisting of at least 8 consecutive amino acid residues of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, provided that said peptide does not consist of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, or a corresponding peptidomimetic, wherein said peptide or peptidomimetic binds to an anti-KIR4.1 antibody comprised in a sample from a patient having multiple sclerosis or a predisposition therefor. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from said subject, wherein the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in said sample is indicative of multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis. Also provided are novel means and methods for the therapy of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peptide or a corresponding peptidomimetic that binds to an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample from a patient, wherein said patient having multiple sclerosis or a predisposition therefor. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.1 antibody in a sample obtained from said subject. Also provided are novel means and methods for the therapy of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peptide comprising or consisting of at least 8 consecutive amino acid residues of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, provided that said peptide does not consist of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, or a corresponding peptidomimetic, wherein said peptide or peptidomimetic binds to an anti-KIR4.1 antibody comprised in a sample from a patient, said patient having multiple sclerosis or a predisposition therefor, wherein preferably (i) said at least 8 consecutive amino acid residues are a subsequence of an extracellular domain of KIR4.1, said extracellular domain consisting of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; or (ii) said peptide comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis or a predisposition for multiple sclerosis in a subject, the method comprising determining the presence of an anti-KIR4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a predisposition of a multiple sclerosis patient to become less susceptible or resistant to treatment with interferon ?, said method comprising determining in a sample obtained from said patient the presence of one or more SNP(s) selected from the group consisting of SNPs defined by the sequences of SEQ ID NOs 12, 17, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein the presence of one or more of said SNP(s) in said sample is indicative for said predisposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the feedback control of the power output from a high-frequency generator for supplying a pulsed laser. During a pulsing operation, the power output is regulated by means of a controllable grid-leak resistor in the grid circuit of the valve tube of the high-frequency generator. An equivalent system is preselected for the feedback control in the pulse intervals and, consequently, transient reactions are minimized.