Τίτλος:
Analysis of nAChR Autoantibodies Against Extracellular Epitopes in MG Patients
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies targeting components of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), leading to neuromuscular transmission deficiency. In the vast majority of patients, these autoantibodies target the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a heteropentameric ion channel anchored to the postsynaptic membrane of the NMJ. Autoantibodies in patients with MG may target all the subunits of the receptor at both their extracellular and intracellular regions. Here, we combine immunoadsorption with a cell-based assay to examine the specificity of the patients' autoantibodies against the extracellular part of the nAChR. Our results reveal that these autoantibodies can be divided into distinct groups, based on their target, with probably different impacts on disease severity. Although our findings are based on a small sample group of patients, they strongly support that additional analysis of the specificity of the autoantibodies of patients with MG could serve as a valuable tool for the clinicians' decision on the treatment strategy to be followed. Copyright © 2022 Michail, Zouvelou, Belimezi, Haroniti, Zouridakis and Zisimopoulou.
Συγγραφείς:
Michail, M.
Zouvelou, V.
Belimezi, M.
Haroniti, A.
Zouridakis, M.
Zisimopoulou, P.
Περιοδικό:
Frontiers in Neurology
Εκδότης:
Frontiers Media S.A
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
epitope; nicotinic receptor, adult; aged; antibody detection; antibody specificity; Article; cell assay; clinical article; controlled study; decision making; disease severity; human; immunoadsorption; middle aged; myasthenia gravis; treatment planning
DOI:
10.3389/fneur.2022.858998
