title: Circulating fragments of myelin-associated alpha 6 beta 4 integrin in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
abstract: Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome (GBS) is an acute peripheral neuropathy causing reversible myelin damage. alpha 6 beta 4 is a laminin receptor of Schwann cells and myelin. Along with myelin breakdown, alpha 6 beta 4 immunoreactivity might be detected in patients' sera and provide a marker for monitoring GBS course. MAbs to beta 4 and alpha 6 were used in an ELISA test to detect protein in GBS serum samples as in normal individuals. In 66% GBS patients, alpha 6 beta 4 immunoreactivity was detected while controls were negative. The level of beta 4 was followed in different patients and found to fluctuate, always being positive in at least one sample. Treatment lowered immunoreactivity in two beta 4-positive GBS sera. Then, circulating alpha 6 beta 4 fragments represent a novel marker of extensive peripheral myelin damage and may be used to validate clinical diagnosis of GBS, evaluate its course and activity.
authors.affiliation: DIBIT, Department of Biological and Technological Research, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Canal
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Marchisio
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins / Q000097:blood*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015415:Biomarkers; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins