Antibodies to sulfated glucuronic acid containing glycosphingolipids in neuropathy associated with anti-MAG antibodies and in normal subjects.
Serum of patients with neuropathy and IgM monoclonal antibodies (M-proteins) that bind to the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) were tested for binding to the major cross-reactive sulfated glucuronic acid containing glycosphingolipid, sulfated glucuronic acid paragloboside (SGPG). IgM binding to the glycolipid was detectable at serum dilutions of 1:10,000 and reactivity was greatest at 4 degrees C. Low titers of IgM binding to the glycolipid were also detected in sera from normal subjects and from patients with neurologic or rheumatologic diseases without serum M-proteins. Binding activity was present in 25% of the sera tested, and titers ranged between 1:25 and 1:400. One patient with peripheral neuropathy, however, had a measurable titer of 1:12,800 in the absence of monoclonal gammopathy. The study indicates that cold reacting anti-SGPG IgM antibodies are frequent constituents of the normal human antibody repertoire, and that monoclonal or polyclonal expansion of B cells that secrete these antibodies, is associated with peripheral neuropathy.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005915:Globosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000276:immunology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D005915:Globosides; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; C051917:sulfate-3-glucuronyl paragloboside