title: VH gene family utilization of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis.
abstract: The immunoglobulin heavy chain (VH) gene family usage in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) model was investigated by RNA slot blot hybridization using VH gene family specific probes. Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant BALB/c mice were found to be encoded by VH genes from at least six different families. The Vgam3.8 family was overrepresented in alpha-bungarotoxin blocking mAbs. Expression of cross-reactive idiotypes by anti-AChR mAbs was irrespective of the VH gene family usage. Strain dependent differences in susceptibility for EAMG were not reflected in an aberrant VH gene family usage of anti-AChR mAbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Graus
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Verschuuren
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Breda Vriesman
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: De Baets
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000032:analysis; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014101:Torpedo
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic