title: Immunoglobulin subclass distribution and binding characteristics of anti-GQ1b antibodies in Miller Fisher syndrome.
abstract: Circulating IgG antibodies to carbohydrate determinants on GQ1b ganglioside are found in the acute phase sera of patients with Miller Fisher syndrome, a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Here we report that the IgG subclass distribution of the anti-GQ1b antibodies is mainly restricted to IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies, subclasses typically associated with a T cell-dependent immune response to protein antigens. This is highly unusual in that IgG responses to carbohydrate determinants are typically of the IgG2 subclass. Anti-GQ1b antibodies also have a limited ability to bind GQ1b in a membrane-like environment, particularly at body temperature. These data suggest that the antigen initiating the immune response in MFS is not likely GQ1b but an unidentified cross-reactive glycoprotein antigen(s). Similar results were obtained for anti-GM1 IgG antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
authors.affiliation: University of Glasgow Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Willison
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veitch
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001259:Ataxia / Q000276:immunology*; D001831:Body Temperature; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology*; D008081:Liposomes; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000276:immunology*; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005732:Gangliosides; D006017:Glycolipids; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008081:Liposomes; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands; C039129:GQ1b ganglioside