title: Axonal neuropathy in a patient with IgM M-protein reactive with nerve endoneurium.
abstract: IgM M-proteins have been found in patients with axonal neuropathies, but it is not known whether these M-proteins bind to nerve components or actually cause the neuropathy. In one patient with axonal neuropathy studied, the IgM M-protein bound to chondroitin sulfate, and there were deposits of IgM in the endoneurium of the patient's nerve. A monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody generated against that M-protein was used to study the binding of the M-protein to normal nerve and to distinguish it from binding of other IgM species that might be present in the patient's serum. In immunofluorescence studies, the M-protein bound to the endoneurium in normal nerve and to connective tissue in other organs. In immunoblot studies, the M-protein bound to several protein bands in nerve and other tissues. The data suggest that the M-protein bound to mucopolysaccharides in nerve endoneurium and connective tissue.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001369:Axons / Q000032:analysis; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C023587:protein M (glycoprotein)