title: Autoimmunity against the ryanodine receptor in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Some myasthenia gravis (MG) patients have antibodies against skeletal muscle antigens in addition to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). A major antigen for these antibodies is the Ca2+ release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum the ryanodine receptor (RyR). These antibodies are found mainly in MG patients with a thymoma MG and correlate with severe MG symptoms. The antibodies recognize a region near the N-terminus on the RyR, which seems to be of importance for RyR regulation. The antibodies cause allosteric inhibition of RyR function in vitro, inhibiting Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: G O
authors: GO
authors: Skeie
authors: P K
authors: PK
authors: Lunde
authors: O M
authors: OM
authors: Sejersted
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mygland
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Aarli
authors: N E
authors: NE
authors: Gilhus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000276:immunology*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel