The CSF samples of MScl patients, divided into two groups, RR MScl [13] and PP MScl [14] , were collected from untreated patients undergoing routine diagnostic procedures by an experienced neurologist (RQH), and matched for presence or absence of oligoclonal bands. The healthy control CSF samples were taken from patients receiving spinal anesthesia prior to non-neurological minor surgical interventions, such as knee and hip replacements, groin rupture and Achilles tendon rupture. All samples were handled in exactly the same way after sampling, using a procedure that has been previously reported [12] . In brief, immediately after sampling, the CSF samples were centrifuged to discard cells and cellular elements and the total protein concentration and albumin concentrations were determined. The number of oligoclonal bands and the intrathecal cell count were also reported. The remaining volume of the samples was aliquoted and stored at 280uC, where they remained until sample preparation for this study. No extra freeze-thaw cycles were allowed.