title: Adsorption column for myasthenia gravis treatment: Medisorba MG-50.
abstract: Adsorption column Medisorba MG-50 (Kuraray Medical Inc.) for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) is introduced. The adsorbent in this column is composed of cellulose beads as carrier material and covalent-bound synthetic peptide as a ligand that has a specific affinity to the pathogenic anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody of MG. The amino acid sequence of the peptide is modified from the segment of alpha 183-200 of the torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) protein, and the segment is the acetylcholine binding site on AChR and the target site of anti-AChR antibody. The adsorbent showed specific adsorption characteristics to the anti-ACHR antibody (blocking antibody) in vitro. Clinically, MG-50 is used in plasma-perfusion therapy, and it is recognized that MG-50 specifically reduces blocking antibody titer and improves MG symptoms. MG-50 is approved in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Medical Products Development Department, Kuraray Medical Inc., Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. shuhei_nakaji@kuraray.co.jp
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakaji
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007164:Immunosorbents / Q000276:immunology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007164:Immunosorbents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic