Immunology of the neuromuscular junction and presynaptic nerve terminal.
The prevalence and incidence of myasthenia gravis is higher than previously thought. A potentially immunodominant T cell has been defined. The specific voltage-gated calcium channel subtype that is targeted by antibodies in the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome has been identified, and there is further evidence for the pathogenic role of autoantibodies in some cases of fetal arthrogryposis and in acquired neuromyotonia, Morvan's syndrome and Miller-Fisher syndrome.
Vincent
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University of Oxford, Department of Clinical Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK. angela.vincent@imm.ox.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000276:immunology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000276:immunology*