HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Alpha-bungarotoxin blocking antibodies in neonatal myasthenia gravis: frequency and selectivity.

Abstract
We have studied antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) that inhibit alpha-bungarotoxin binding in 22 mothers with myasthenia gravis (MG) and in their 23 newborns. Of the 13 showing neonatal MG, seven of the mothers had detectable direct blocking antibodies, all 13 had decamethonium-dependent (DC) blocking, and nine had high titres of precipitating antibodies (greater than 40 nM). In those with symptom-free newborns, the corresponding figures were 2/10, 8/10 and 2/10; the mean titres of DC blocking and of precipitating antibodies were 5- and 3-fold lower than in the mothers of affected babies. Thus, blocking antibodies, in addition to high total antibody levels, may help to predict the occurrence of neonatal MG. However, the antibodies appear not to cross the placenta to the same extent in each case. 86, 69 and 84% of the maternal antibodies with precipitating, direct and DC blocking activities, respectively, were found in the myasthenic neonates versus 65, 28 and 44% in the unaffected. These data suggest (1) involvement of blocking antibodies in the pathogenesis of MG, and (2) variable placental transfer of anti-AChR antibodies, which makes neonatal affliction more difficult to predict.
AuthorsB Vernet-der Garabedian, B Eymard, J F Bach, E Morel
JournalJournal of neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol) Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 41-7 (Jan 1989) ISSN: 0165-5728 [Print] Netherlands
PMID2908881 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Autoantibodies
  • Bungarotoxins
  • Chrna7 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Topics
  • Autoantibodies (immunology)
  • Bungarotoxins (metabolism)
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases (immunology)
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Myasthenia Gravis (congenital, immunology, physiopathology)
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications (immunology)
  • Receptors, Cholinergic (immunology)
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: