Serum factor in Miller-Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome and neurotransmitter release.
Serum IgG autoantibodies to GQ1b ganglioside are associated with the acute phase of the Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS). We investigated the effects of three anti-GQ1b-positive MFS sera in the mouse phrenic-nerve/diaphragm preparation. Miniature endplate potential frequencies increased eight-fold within 25 min, declined rapidly, and ceased altogether after 3 h, when nerve stimulation no longer evoked a response. One MFS convalescent serum (anti-GQ1b negative) and sera from healthy controls and from patients with other neurological diseases were without effect. Thus muscle weakness in MFS may be caused by a serum factor, likely to be GQ1b antibody, that leads to failure of acetylcholine release from motor nerve terminals.
Roberts
M
M
Department of Clinical Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, UK.
Willison
H
H
Vincent
A
A
Newsom-Davis
J
J
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009045:Motor Endplate / Q000503:physiopathology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D005732:Gangliosides; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C039129:GQ1b ganglioside