Anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibodies mediate complement-dependent destruction of the motor nerve terminal

O'Hanlon, G.M. et al. (2001) Anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibodies mediate complement-dependent destruction of the motor nerve terminal. Brain, 124(5), pp. 893-906. (doi: 10.1093/brain/124.5.893)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/brain/124.5.893

Abstract

Miller–Fisher syndrome is an autoimmune neuropathy characterized by ataxia, areflexia and ophthalmoplegia, and in the majority of cases the presence of high titres of anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibodies. In an <i>ex vivo</i> model, human and mouse anti-GQ1b antibodies have been shown previously to induce a complement-dependent α-latrotoxin-like effect on the murine motor endplate, i.e. they bring about massive quantal release of acetylcholine and eventually block neuromuscular transmission. Using immunofluorescence microscopy with image analysis, we show here that the late stages of this electrophysiological effect temporally coincide with the loss of heavy neurofilament (200 kDa) and type III β-tubulin immunostaining and structural breakdown of the nerve terminal, as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally, axon terminals were disorganized, depleted of vesicles, and subdivided by the infiltrating processes of capping Schwann cells. These findings provide clear pathological evidence to support a role for anti-ganglioside antibodies in mediating nerve terminal injury and further advance the view that this site may be of importance as a target in some human neuropathies.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Willison, Professor Hugh and Goodyear, Professor Carl
Authors: O'Hanlon, G.M., Plomp, J.J., Chakrabarti, M., Morrison, I., Wagner, E.R., Goodyear, C.S., Yin, X., Trapp, B.D.T., Conner, J., Molenaar, P.C., Stewart, S., Rowan, E.G., and Willison, H.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Brain
ISSN:0006-8950
ISSN (Online):1460-2156

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