Characterization of ganglionic acetylcholine receptor autoantibodies

Steven Vernino, Jon Lindstrom, Steve Hopkins, Zhengbei Wang, Phillip A. Low

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

In myasthenia gravis (MG), autoantibodies bind to the α1 subunit and other subunits of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is an antibody-mediated neurological disorder caused by antibodies against neuronal AChRs in autonomic ganglia. Subunits of muscle and neuronal AChR are homologous. We examined the specificity of AChR antibodies in patients with MG and AAG. Ganglionic AChR autoantibodies found in AAG patients are specific for AChRs containing the α3 subunit. Muscle and ganglionic AChR antibody specificities are distinct. Antibody crossreactivity between AChRs with different α subunits is uncommon but can occur.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)63-69
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume197
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 15 2008

Keywords

  • Autonomic
  • Bungarotoxin
  • Epibatidine
  • Myasthenia
  • Neuronal
  • Subunits

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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