Variable patterns of anti-GM(1) IgM-antibody populations defined by affinity and fine specificity in patients with motor syndromes: evidence for their random origin

LOPEZ PABLO H; LARDONE RICARDO D; IRAZOQUI FERNANDO J; VILLA ANDRES M; DI EGIDIO MARIANA; SAIZAR ROBERTO D; SICA ROBERTO E; NORES GUSTAVO A

JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2001 vol. 119 p. 131 - 131

0165-5728

p class="abstract">Elevated titers of serum antibodies against GM(1)-ganglioside are associated with a variety of autoimmune neuropathies. Although much evidence indicates that these autoantibodies play a primary role in the disease processes, the mechanism of their appearance is unclear. Low-affinity anti-GM(1) antibodies of the IgM isotype are part of the normal human immunological repertoire. In patients with motor syndromes, we found that in addition to the usual anti-GM(1) antibodies, the sera contain IgM-antibodies that recognize GM(1) with higher affinity and/or different specificity. This latter type of antibodies was not detected in other autoimmune diseases. We studied the fine specificity of both normal and motor disease-associated antibodies using HPTLC-immunostaining of GM(1) and structurally related glycolipids, soluble antigen binding inhibition, and GM(1) affinity columns. Normal low-affinity anti-GM(1) antibodies cross-react with GA(1) and/or GD(1b). In the motor synd