Characterization of complement-fixing antibodies to peripheral nerve myelin in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Complement-fixing antibodies to peripheral nerve myelin (anti-PNM Ab) can be detected in the serum of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Kinetics of these antibodies can be correlated with the changing clinical course; the appearance of activation products of the terminal complement cascade in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and peripheral nerve of patients with GBS; and the ability of GBS serum to mediate complement-dependent demyelination of myelinating cultures of rodent dorsal root ganglion. Some of the anti-PNM Ab in all GBS serum tested thus far bind a neutral glycolipid of human PNM and cross react with Forssman antigen, a cross-species antigen found in many infectious agents. Studies suggest that an IgM antibody in GBS patients that could be triggered by multiple infectious agents binds a surface determinant of a Forssman-like lipid of human PNM and participates in demyelination of peripheral nerve through the activation of complement.
Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
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Koski
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies