g(m1)-ganglioside and Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare inflammatory, chronically progressive, unremitting disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Although the etiology of this condition is not known, high titers of IgM Ab to GM1 may serve as a biomarker for this disease. Clinical findings of motor weakness are associated with focal conduction blocks and with time, axonal destruction. Evidence supporting an immune etiology as well as the use of intravenous immunoglobulin to limit the disease progression is reviewed.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunotherapy; Motor Neurons; Neural Conduction; Neuroprotective Agents; Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare inflammatory neuropathy characterized by progressive, asymmetric distal limb weakness and conduction block (CB). Clinically MMN is a pure motor neuropathy, which as such can mimic motor neuron disease. GM1-specific IgM antibodies are present in the serum of approximately half of all MMN patients, and are thought to play a key role in the immune pathophysiology. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment has been shown to be effective in MMN in five randomized placebo-controlled trials. Despite long-term treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), which is efficient in the majority of patients, slowly progressive axonal degeneration and subsequent muscle weakness cannot be fully prevented. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the immune pathogenesis underlying MMN and how this may cause CB, available treatment strategies and future therapeutic targets.

Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Cell Communication; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunotherapy; Motor Neurons; Neural Conduction; Polyneuropathies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Multifocal motor neuropathy affects myelinated motor axons in limb nerves at multifocal sites. It is characterized by weakness and muscle atrophy, motor conduction block, and antibodies against ganglioside GM1 which is expressed on the axolemma of nodes of Ranvier and perinodal Schwann cells. Treatment by regular IVIg courses results in temporary improvement but cannot prevent slowly progressing weakness due to axonal degeneration. This review discusses possible mechanisms of conduction block and the reasons why motor axons are selectively affected in this disorder.

Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Axons; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Immunotherapy; Motor Neurons; Neural Conduction; Polyneuropathies; Ranvier's Nodes; Treatment Outcome

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare, probably immune-mediated chronic disorder characterized by asymmetric distal limb weakness and conduction block. The exact pathogenesis of MMN is still unclear, but IgM anti-GM1 antibodies, which can be detected in sera from approximately half of all MMN patients, are thought to play an important role. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in the vast majority of patients, but, despite IVIG maintenance treatment, many patients experience a slowly progressive decline in muscle strength. In this review we will summarize the results from studies on pathogenesis. We will discuss current treatment strategies of MMN and how insight into MMN pathogenesis may translate into novel therapies in the future.

Topics: Autoantibodies; Autoimmunity; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Polyneuropathies

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis, can develop after infection by Campylobacter jejuni. The condition is often associated with serum anti-GM1 or anti-GD1a IgG antibodies. Gangliosides contribute to stability of paranodal junctions and ion channel clusters in myelinated nerve fibers. Autoantibodies to GM1 and GD1a disrupt lipid rafts, paranodal or nodal structures, and ion channel clusters in peripheral motor nerves. Molecular mimicry exists between GM1 and GD1a gangliosides and lipo-oligosaccharides of C. jejuni isolates from GBS patients. Sensitization of rabbits with GM1 or C. jejuni lipo-oligosaccharide produces replica of GBS. These findings provide strong evidence for carbohydrate mimicry being a cause of GBS and show the role of gangliosides in peripheral nerves.

Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Brain; Campylobacter jejuni; Cattle; Electrophysiology; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Polyneuropathies; Rabbits; Sialyltransferases

The nature of the underlying mechanisms in inflammatory and immune-mediated neuropathies continues to represent an intensive area of research. Different auto-antibodies that are thought to cause specific neuropathic syndromes have been described. The involvement of T cells, cytokines, complement and class II molecules in the pathogenesis of these syndromes has also been studied. There is also intensive investigation into the area of immunotherapy, in particular in the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (Ig).

Topics: Autoantibodies; Demyelinating Diseases; Electromyography; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Myelin Proteins; Neurologic Examination; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Polyneuropathies; Polyradiculoneuropathy

Recent work identified anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG ganglioside antibodies as biomarkers in dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, in turn considered a canine equivalent of Guillain-Barré syndrome. This study aims to investigate the serum prevalence of similar antibodies in cats clinically diagnosed with immune-mediated polyneuropathies. The sera from 41 cats clinically diagnosed with immune-mediated polyneuropathies (IPN), 9 cats with other neurological or neuromuscular disorders (ONM) and 46 neurologically normal cats (CTRL) were examined for the presence of IgG antibodies against glycolipids GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b, GalNAc-GD1a, GA1, SGPG, LM1, galactocerebroside and sulphatide. A total of 29/41 IPN-cats had either anti-GM2 or anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies, with 24/29 cats having both. Direct comparison of anti-GM2 (sensitivity: 70.7%; specificity: 78.2%) and anti-GalNAc-GD1a (sensitivity: 70.7%; specificity: 70.9%) antibodies narrowly showed anti-GM2 IgG antibodies to be the better marker for identifying IPN-cats when compared to the combined ONM and CTRL groups (P = .049). Anti-GA1 and/or anti-sulphatide IgG antibodies were ubiquitously present across all sample groups, whereas antibodies against GM1, GD1a, GD1b, SGPG, LM1 and galactocerebroside were overall only rarely observed. Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies may serve as serum biomarkers for immune-mediated polyneuropathies in cats, as previously observed in dogs and humans.

Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Cats; Dogs; G(M1) Ganglioside; G(M2) Ganglioside; Galactosylceramides; Gangliosides; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a peripheral nerve disorder characterized by slow progressive distal asymmetric weakness with minimal or no sensory impairment. Currently, a vast evidence supports a direct pathogenic role of IgM anti-GM1 antibodies on disease pathogenesis. Patients with MMN seropositive for GM1-specific IgM antibodies have significantly more weakness, disability and axon loss than patients without these antibodies. During the screening for IgM anti-GM1 antibodies in a cohort of patients with neuropathy we noticed an absence or significant reduction of natural IgM anti-GM1 autoreactivity in some patients with MMN, suggesting a mechanism of self-control of autoreactivity. We aim to understand the lack of natural reactivity against GM1 in MMN patients.. The presence of free IgM anti-GM1 reactivity or its complex to blocking IgG was analysed by combining high performance thin layer chromatography-immunostaining, soluble binding inhibition assays, Protein-G or GM1-affinity columns and dot blot assays.. We identified in MMN patients an immunoregulation of IgM anti-GM1 antibodies mediated by IgG immunoglobulins characterized by: (i) lack of natural IgM anti-GM1 autoreactivity as a result of a immunoregulatory IgG-dependent mechanism; (ii) presence of natural and disease-associated IgM anti-GM1/IgG blocking Ab complexes in sera; and (iii) high levels of IgG blocking against natural IgM anti-GM1 antibodies (Abs.. Our observations unmask a spontaneous IgG-dependent mechanism of immunoregulation against IgM anti-GM1 antibodies that could explain, in part, fluctuations in the usually slowly progressive clinical course that characterizes the disease and, at the same time, allows the identification of an autoimmune response against GM1 ganglioside in seronegative patients.

Topics: Autoimmunity; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy is a rare, immune-mediated motor neuropathy with asymmetric, often debilitating progressive weakness. The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in this disease is well established; however, the response typically wanes over time. No other agent has shown similar therapeutic efficacy. We describe a case of anti-ganglioside GM1 IgM-positive multifocal motor neuropathy with typical incomplete and diminishing response to intravenous immunoglobulin over time. Sixteen years after symptom onset, rituximab was administered at 2 g/m2 over 2 weeks. No significant progression of disease has occurred over the following 10 years despite no additional treatments, including intravenous immunoglobulin, being given. Only case reports and small, mostly uncontrolled studies have reported the use of rituximab in multifocal motor neuropathy with mixed results. However, given its potential benefits and lack of an established second-line agent, treatment with rituximab may be considered in select patients with refractory multifocal motor neuropathy.

Topics: G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Motor Neuron Disease; Polyneuropathies; Rituximab

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a slowly progressive motor neuropathy characterized by asymmetric muscle weakness without sensory involvement. Typically, MMN respond completely to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). MMN is even rarer in the pediatric population, where only five patients have been reported up to now.. We discuss the 3-year follow-up of a 13-year-old girl with MMN who was positive for IgM antibodies to gangliosides GM1. She was diagnosed with MMN in accordance with the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) criteria. Serological studies revealed that she tested positive for IgM antibodies to GM1. She underwent intravenous methylprednisolone followed by an oral prednisone taper, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), plasma exchange followed by IVIG and prednisone and Rituximab. No improvement was referred. At the present, she shows flaccid tetraplegia, facial diplegia, and bulbar cranial nerve palsy.. Although childhood onset MMN is rare, most patients reported in literature respond to IVIg treatment. In a few cases, however, IVIg can be ineffective. In our patient, IVIg as well as treatment with prednisolone, plasma exchange and rituximab have failed.

Topics: Adolescent; Autoantibodies; Child; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Polyneuropathies

We investigated the pathogenicity of immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-GM1 antibodies in serum from patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs).. iPSCs were generated from fibroblasts and differentiated into MNs. We studied the binding of IgM to MNs, their complement-activating properties, and effects on structural integrity using fluorescence and electron microscopy. Live cell imaging was used to study effects of antibody binding on MNs in the presence and absence of complement.. IgM antibody binding to MNs was detected using sera from MMN patients with and without detectable anti-GM1 IgM antibody titers in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but not with sera from (disease) controls. Competition and depletion experiments showed that antibodies specifically bound to GM1 on iPSC-derived MNs. Binding of these antibodies disrupted calcium homeostasis by both complement-dependent and complement-independent pathways. MNs showed marked axonal damage after complement activation, and reduced antibody pathogenicity following treatment with immunoglobulin preparations.. Our data provide evidence for the pathogenicity of anti-GM1 IgM antibodies in MMN patients and link their presence to the clinical characteristics of axonal damage and immunoglobulin responsiveness. This iPSC-derived disease model will facilitate diagnosis, studies on autoantibody pathogenicity, drug development, and screening in immune-mediated neuropathies. Ann Neurol 2016;80:71-88.

Topics: Adult; Autoantibodies; Calcium; Case-Control Studies; Coculture Techniques; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons; Neurites; Polyneuropathies; Protein Binding

Fifteen days after a respiratory infection, a 45-year-old woman presented with paresthesias in the hands and feet, bilateral loss of vision, fever, headache, and impairment of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed predominant lesions in the optic tracts, optic chiasm, and hypothalamus. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein level, and lymphocytic pleocytosis. Neurophysiological studies disclosed a demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Serum anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae immunoglobulin (Ig)M, anti-GM1 IgG, and anti-AQP4 IgG were positive. This case, which is remarkable for post-infectious meningoencephalitis-like onset, MRI picture, and dysimmunity to central and peripheral nervous system autoantigens, underpins the pivotal diagnostic role of anti-AQP4-IgG, and expands the list of clinico-pathological findings that can associate with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Topics: Aquaporin 4; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Meningoencephalitis; Middle Aged; Optic Neuritis; Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are immune-mediated motor neuropathies with antibodies against the ganglioside GM1. In GBS, these antibodies are induced by molecular mimicry, but in MMN their origin is elusive.. We compared the light-chain use of anti-GM1 IgM antibodies in serum from 42 patients with MMN and 23 patients with GBS by ELISA.. Exclusive use of either κ or λ light chains was found in 38 (90%) patients with MMN and 9 (39%) with GBS (p<0.001).. Anti-GM1 IgM antibodies in most patients with MMN are produced by only a single or very limited number of B-cell clones, whereas in most patients with GBS, anti-GM1 IgM antibodies are most likely polyclonal.

Topics: Autoantibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Case-Control Studies; G(M1) Ganglioside; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; Immunoglobulin M; Polyneuropathies

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) are associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy or the presence IgM anti-GM1-antibodies. To further investigate the pathophysiology of MMN and PMA we determined concentrations of 16 mainly B-cell associated inflammatory markers in serum from 25 patients with MMN, 55 patients with PMA, 25 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 50 healthy controls. Median serum concentrations of the 16 tested cytokines and chemokines were not significantly increased in patients with MMN or patients with PMA, irrespective of the presence of IgM monoclonal gammopathy or high IgM anti-GM1 antibodies. These results argue against a systemic B-cell mediated immune response underlying the pathogenesis of MMN and PMA.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Autoantibodies; B-Cell Activating Factor; Chi-Square Distribution; Cytokines; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal; Polyneuropathies; Statistics, Nonparametric

Increased titres of serum IgM antibodies to GM1 ganglioside are often associated with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Testing for IgM antibodies to other antigens including GM2, the mixture of GM1 and galactocerebroside (GM1/GalC) and the disulfated heparin disaccharide NS6S were reported to increase the sensitivity of antibody testing in MMN even if it is unclear whether the specificity and positive (PPV) or negative predictive value (NPV) for MMN were also affected.. We measured IgM antibodies to GM1, GM2, galactocerebroside, GM1/GalC and NS6S in 40 consecutive patients with MMN and 142 controls with other neuropathies or related diseases and compared their sensitivity, specificity and PPV for MMN.. With the only exception of anti-GM2 and, partially, anti-NS6S antibodies, IgM antibodies to the antigens tested were more frequent in MMN than in controls. Increased titres of anti-GM1 IgM were found in 48% of MMN patients with a specificity of 93% and PPV for MMN of 66%. Anti-GM1/GalC antibodies were present in all anti-GM1 positive MMN patients and in 11 additional patients (28%) with MMN raising the sensitivity of antibody testing to 75%. The specificity (85%) and PPV (59%) for MMN was, however, moderately reduced compared to anti-GM1 IgM, even if they rose with increasing anti-GM1/GalC titres. IgM antibodies to GM2, NS6S and galactocerebroside were found in 8%, 23% and 60% of MMN patients but had a low specificity and PPV for MMN.. Testing for anti-GM1/GalC IgM significantly increased the sensitivity of antibody testing in MMN compared to anti-GM1 alone (p=0.021) and may represent a preferred option for GM1 reactivity testing in MMN.

Topics: Autoantibodies; G(M1) Ganglioside; Galactosylceramides; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Polyneuropathies; Predictive Value of Tests; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity

Topics: Autoantibodies; G(M1) Ganglioside; Galactosylceramides; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Polyneuropathies

We tested autoantibodies to neurofascin-186 (NF186) and gliomedin in sera from patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN, n=53) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP, n=95) by ELISA. IgG antibodies to NF186 or gliomedin were found in 62% of MMN and 1% of CIDP sera, and IgM antibodies to the same antigens in 12% of MMN and 1% of CIDP sera. These autoantibodies activated complement. Ten percent of the MMN sera without IgM anti-GM1 reactivity had anti-NF186 antibodies. Because NF186 and gliomedin play a crucial role for salutatory conduction, the autoantibodies may contribute to produce motor nerve conduction block and muscle weakness in MMN.

Topics: Animals; Autoantibodies; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Computational Biology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Membrane Proteins; Motor Neuron Disease; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Polyneuropathies; Protein Isoforms; Rats; Transfection

Measurement of anti-GM1 IgM antibodies in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) sera is confounded by relatively low sensitivity that limits clinical usefulness. Combinatorial assay methods, in which antibodies react to heteromeric complexes of two or more glycolipids, are being increasingly applied to this area of diagnostic testing.. A newly developed combinatorial glycoarray able to identify antibodies to 45 different heteromeric glycolipid complexes and their 10 individual glycolipid components was applied to a randomly selected population of 33 MMN cases and 57 normal or disease controls. Comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted for selected single glycolipids and their complexes.. By ELISA, 22/33 MMN cases had detectable anti-GM1 IgM antibodies, whereas 19/33 MMN samples were positive for anti-GM1 antibodies by glycoarray. Analysis of variance (anova) revealed that of the 55 possible single glycolipids and their 1:1 complexes, antibodies to the GM1:galactocerebroside (GM1:GalC) complex were most significantly associated with MMN, returning 33/33 MMN samples as positive by glycoarray and 29/33 positive by ELISA. Regression analysis revealed a high correlation in absolute values between ELISA and glycoarray. Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed insignificantly different diagnostic performance between the two methods. However, the glycoarray appeared to offer slightly improved sensitivity by identifying antibodies in four ELISA-negative samples.. The use of combinatorial glycoarray or ELISA increased the diagnostic sensitivity of anti-glycolipid antibody testing in this cohort of MMN cases, without significantly affecting specificity, and may be a useful assay modification for routine clinical screening.

Topics: Aged; Antibodies; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyneuropathies; Protein Array Analysis; ROC Curve

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) usually progresses insidiously with lower motor neuron-type weakness, minimal or no sensory symptoms. Diagnostic criteria include motor conduction block (CB) at sites not exposed to compression or entrapment. CBs may persist or reverse irrespective of clinical outcome. Acute onset with generalized weakness is uncommon. We report four patients who presented acutely areflexia, pure motor deficits without sensory disturbances, multifocal CBs persisting at the same motor nerves on serial electrophysiological studies. Three patients had preceding infections; two showed IgM reactivity against the ganglioside GM1. Intravenous immuneglobulin (IVIg) improved or stabilized symptoms. Patients 2,3,4 receive maintenance therapy with IVIg for years. Acute-onset MMN (AMMN) should be differentiated from other immune-mediated neuropathies such as acute inflammatory polyneuropathy either demyelinating (AIDP) or axonal (AMAN), acute motor conduction block neuropathy (AMCBN), acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The correct diagnosis deserves implications for patient long-term treatment and prognosis. Moreover, the authors address the problem of defining the spectrum of MMN particularly in the acute setting.

Topics: Action Potentials; Aged; Electromyography; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Neuron Disease; Neural Conduction; Polyneuropathies; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Cohort Studies; Demyelinating Diseases; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyneuropathies

Antibodies to the ganglioside GM1 are associated with various forms of acute and chronic immune-mediated neuropathy, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and multifocal motor neuropathy. In diagnostics and research, these antibodies are usually detected by GM1 preparations derived from bovine brain tissue, which are non-covalently attached to solid carriers such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates. Such brain-derived GM1 preparations are potentially contaminated with other glycolipids. In the current study, uncontaminated mono- and divalent synthetic analogs of the ganglioside GM1 were successfully attached via covalent bonds onto the surface of ELISA plates. The resulting modified diagnostic tool showed strong affinities and good specificities for binding of monoclonal mouse and human anti-GM1 antibodies and cholera toxin, as well as for the anti-GM1 antibodies in serum samples from neuropathy patients. While these proof-of-principle experiments reveal the potential of synthetic ganglioside mimics in diagnostics, they show the necessity of further studies to overcome certain limitations, specifically the non-specific interactions in the negative control assays with synthetic GM1.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; G(M1) Ganglioside; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Molecular Mimicry; Paraproteinemias; Polyneuropathies

Topics: Adolescent; Autoantibodies; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Polyneuropathies

High titers of anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies have been associated with multifocal motor neuropathy, a chronic asymmetric and exclusively motor disorder. We describe a patient with a progressive selective motor but symmetric polyneuropathy, followed over 5 years, with markedly elevated titers of anti-GM1 antibodies. The electrophysiological changes suggestive of motor demyelination were widespread, beyond conduction block alone, and involved contiguous nerve segments with complete sparing of sensory conduction. Progressive, predominantly motor, symmetric, demyelinating polyneuropathy may be an unusual relative of multifocal motor neuropathy, associated with anti-GM1 antibodies.

Topics: Action Potentials; Adult; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Axons; Demyelinating Diseases; Disabled Persons; Disease Progression; Extremities; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Neural Conduction; Peroneal Nerve; Plasma Exchange; Polyneuropathies; Severity of Illness Index

Sjögren syndrome (SS) has been known to manifest with neurological complications, most frequently of the peripheral nervous system, and often in advance of xerostomia and xerophthalmia. There has been one case report of a patient with SS presenting with acute motor neuropathy similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We report the case of a patient who developed rapidly fulminant acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) with positive anti-GM1 antibody at high titers in association with serological and pathological evidence of SS without xerostomia or xerophthalmia.

Topics: Action Potentials; Adult; Axons; Electrodiagnosis; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Male; Motor Neurons; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Polyneuropathies; Quadriplegia; Sjogren's Syndrome

The anti-GD1b antibody is known to bind to the cerebellar granular layer or spinocerebellar Ia fibers. A few cases of anti-GD1b positive acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with prominent cerebellar ataxia were reported. Recently, we encountered a middle-aged woman with Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) with severe cerebellar ataxia and relatively mild motor weakness. Anti-GD1b Ig G antibody and anti-GM1 Ig G antibody titers were markedly elevated in her serum. She was diagnosed with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) with prominent cerebellar ataxia based on the results of the serial nerve conduction study suggesting axonal neuropathy. This case presents the clinico-pathogenic role of autoantibodies to the GD1b and the GM1 in acute inflammatory neuropathy.

Topics: Autoantibodies; Axons; Cerebellar Ataxia; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Middle Aged; Polyneuropathies

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antibody Specificity; Autoantibodies; Autoantigens; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Axons; Brain; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Motor Neurons; Plasma Exchange; Polyneuropathies; Reflex, Abnormal; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Chronic Disease; Demyelinating Diseases; G(M1) Ganglioside; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Odds Ratio; Polyneuropathies; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity

Antiganglioside serum antibodies from a patient treated with gangliosides were examined for cross-reactivity with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Campylobacter jejuni strains associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The patient had no preceding infection with C. jejuni and developed chronic progressive motor polyneuropathy following parenteral ganglioside treatment. Serum IgG antibodies recognised GM1 and GD1b gangliosides as well as asialo-GM1, and cross-reactivity was observed with LPSs from C. jejuni O:2, O:4, O:19 and O:41. The results give a clear indication that gangliosides and LPSs from C. jejuni serotypes associated with GBS share common epitopes.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies; Campylobacter jejuni; Cross Reactions; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lipopolysaccharides; Polyneuropathies

We report a case of HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) with polyneuropathy. A 59-year old man suffering from progressive paraparesis associated with subclinical polyneuropathy was admitted to our hospital. HTLV-I antibodies in the serum and CSF were positive, and a diagnosis of HAM was made. His laboratory investigation revealed elevated serum IgG and IgM anti GM-1 antibodies. The nerve conduction study showed a mild reduction in motor and sensory conduction velocity in all extremities. A sural nerve biopsy revealed active demyelination and globule-like changes, which are specific for HAM neuropathy. Anti-GM1 antibodies are frequently present in autoimmune motor neuropathy. They are thought to inflict a damage on both the myelin and axons of the peripheral nerves. Ours is believed to be the first case of HAM associated with anti-GM1 antibodies, although polyneuropathy is often associated with HAM. While it is not clear whether the lesion observed in HAM neuropathy results from the direct cytopathic effect of the virus or from the immune response, some immune-mediated reactions are thought to play an important role. This case suggests that a case of HAM with polyneuropathy should be examined for the presence of the anti-ganglioside antibodies. More investigations are needed to fully understand the mechanism of the HAM neuropathy.

Topics: Autoantibodies; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic; Polyneuropathies

Polyclonal immunoglobulin M antibodies to the monosialoganglioside GM2, sulfoglucuronyl glycolipids, and sulfatide were detected by thin-layer chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the serum of a patient with melanoma and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Both the patient's serum and polyclonal antibodies against GM2 reacted strongly with a biopsy of melanomatous tissue from the patient, suggesting a process of molecular mimicry.

Topics: Aged; Antibody Specificity; Chronic Disease; Demyelinating Diseases; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Melanoma; Molecular Mimicry; Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; Polyneuropathies

We report a patient who developed a chronic sensory-motor polyneuropathy and a progressive myelopathy 4 years after a tick bite. An increased serum antibody titer to Borrelia burgdorferi suggested a diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis, although a concomitant cervical spondylosis probably contributed to spinal cord damage. Treatment with ceftriaxone resulted in a marked improvement of neuropathic symptoms, providing indirect evidence of spirochetal infection. Search for B. burgdorferi DNA by polymerase chain reaction amplification on sural nerve confirmed the diagnosis, demonstrating that the spirochete localized in the peripheral nervous system. The presence of complement membrane attack complex deposits and macrophage infiltrates around epineurial vessels and within the endoneurium suggests that the neuropathy in our patient was immune-mediated.

Topics: Aged; Antibodies, Bacterial; Biopsy; Borrelia burgdorferi Group; Cell Membrane; Complement System Proteins; DNA, Bacterial; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lyme Disease; Male; Microcirculation; Microscopy, Electron; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polyneuropathies; Sural Nerve

Antecedent Campylobacter jejuni infection, detected by serologic tests, has been implicated in some acute immune polyneuropathies (AIP). Antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, C. jejuni, and GM1 ganglioside were measured in sera from 35 Chinese patients with AIP. Anti-GM1 antibodies were found in 54% of C. jejuni-seropositive, H. pylori-seronegative patients. In contrast, anti-GM1 antibodies were rare in sera that were either seropositive for both C. jejuni and H. pylori (P = .04) or seronegative for C. jejuni (P = .01). Motor axonal AIP was more common in the C. jejuni-seropositive, H. pylori-seronegative patients (82%) than in the bacterial antibody-negative group (38%). It was concluded that in AIP patients, C. jejuni-positive sera may be polyreactive, in that it may also react with H. pylori. In this situation, the specificity for either infection requires further validation. In contrast, sera with specific C. jejuni seropositivity are associated with both motor axonal AIP and selective serum IgG anti-GM1 antibodies.

Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibody Specificity; Autoantibodies; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; China; G(M1) Ganglioside; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Polyneuropathies; Polyradiculoneuropathy; Seroepidemiologic Studies

Patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and with a chronic polyneuropathy (non-CIDP) were studied for the presence of anti-GM1 antibodies. In pretreatment sera of CIDP patients, we found IgG anti-GM1 antibodies in 23%, IgM in 7%, and IgA in 14%. Predominantly motor involvement was associated with IgG and IgM anti-GM1 antibodies in CIDP patients (P = 0.002). Improvement after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy was not associated with anti-GM1 antibody titer before or after treatment. Anti-GM1 antibody titers before onset of treatment was not related to poor clinical outcome, although large clinical improvements after IVIg therapy were observed less often (P = 0.057) in patients with high titer anti-GM1 antibodies before treatment.

Topics: Action Potentials; Antibodies; Chronic Disease; Demyelinating Diseases; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Movement; Polyneuropathies; Sensation

We report a 19-year-old female with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with recurrent ophthalmoplegia. The patient had chronic, recurrent, asymmetrical, predominantly, distal limb weakness, and numbness of extremities with recurrent external ophthalmoplegia. Ophthalmoplegia developed in each attack of distal limb weakness, and also rapidly subsided with recovery of limb weakness. Motor nerve conduction studies revealed conduction block in more than one nerve and conduction velocities were generally normal in those segments of the nerve where conduction block was not detected. Serum anti-gangliosides GM1 IgM antibody investigated by ELISA was elevated. Thin-layer chromatography immunostaining also confirmed this result. Sural nerve biopsy showed normal findings. In spite of improvement of her signs and symptoms after prednisolone therapy, multifocal conduction block was persistent. Muscle power improved in association with decreased in anti-GM1 antibody activity. There were many reports of CIDP with cranial nerve involvements, but recurrent ophthalmoplegia in CIDP is rare. It is widely accepted that serum anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is associated with ophthalmoplegia in Miller Fisher syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, serum anti-GQ1b IgG antibody was not detected in this case. It is unclear whether anti-GM1 antibody may play a role to pathogenesis of ophthalmoplegia or not in this case.

Topics: Adult; Autoantibodies; Chronic Disease; Demyelinating Diseases; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Neural Conduction; Ophthalmoplegia; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Polyneuropathies; Recurrence

Topics: Autoantibodies; Demyelinating Diseases; G(M1) Ganglioside; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Polyneuropathies; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

High titers of antibodies directed against gangliosides, especially GM1, are found in the serum of patients with a variety of polyneuropathies, including those of the inflammatory type. We assayed anti-GM1 IgG and IgM levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 23 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and 10 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) to investigate whether this immune response may also be localized within the intrathecal compartment and correlate with clinical parameters such as time interval since disease onset, disability score, preceding infectious episodes, and GM1 therapy. When compared to the control group, anti-GM1 IgG was increased in the serum of 39% of GBS and 10% of CIDP patients, whereas anti-GM1 IgM was elevated in 17% of GBS and none of the CIDP patients. In both patient groups, however, anti-GM1 antibody levels were more frequently elevated in CSF than paired sera: they belonged to the IgG class in 48% of GBS and 50% of CIDP patients, and to the IgM class in 48% of GBS and 55% of CIDP patients. In the GBS group, anti-GM1 IgM serum levels inversely correlated with time elapsed between sample collection and onset of disease (P < 0.05), whereas serum anti-GM1 IgG levels positively correlated with the loss of functional ability (P < 0.005). Increased anti-GM1 antibodies in GBS serum were not associated with clinical or serological evidence of infectious antecedents nor with previous GM1 treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Antibodies; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Chronic Disease; Demyelinating Diseases; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; G(M1) Ganglioside; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Polyneuropathies; Polyradiculoneuropathy

Antibodies to gangliosides were detected in sera from three of 19 patients with chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy (CIP) by a thin-layer chromatogram overlay technique. All three of the patients fell into a clinical subset of the group that had multifocal motor neuropathy, and in all three patients the antibodies reacted with GM1 ganglioside. However, the fine specificities of the antibodies differed as demonstrated by cross-reactivity with different gangliosides in each of the three patients. The antibodies in patient 1 reacted with GM1, GD1b, and asialo-GM1 suggesting that the terminal Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc moiety that is common to these three glycolipids is an important part of the epitope(s). This was confirmed by showing reactivity of the antibodies with Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Patient 2 had antibodies that did not react with GD1b, but cross-reacted with GM2 ganglioside suggesting that the epitope(s) involved the inner portion of the oligosaccharide moiety that is shared between GM1 and GM2. Patient 3 had antibodies that reacted with GM1 and asialo-GM1, but they did not cross-react with either GD1b or GM2. These results provide further evidence for a relationship between motor nerve syndromes and anti-GM1 antibodies and also suggest that GM1 could be a principal target antigen since other reactive gangliosides differed among the patients. However, the possible pathogenic effects of anti-GM1 antibodies on motor nerves remain to be established.

Topics: Antibodies; Antibody Specificity; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Cross Reactions; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Glycosphingolipids; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Polyneuropathies