OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSIONS: 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. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSIONS: 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. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Authors: Kevin Budding; Lill Eva Johansen; Inge Van de Walle; Kim Dijkxhoorn; Elisabeth de Zeeuw; Lauri M Bloemenkamp; Jeroen W Bos; Marc D Jansen; Chantall A D Curial; Karen Silence; Hans de Haard; Christophe Blanchetot; Liesbeth Van de Ven; Jeanette H W Leusen; R Jeroen Pasterkamp; Leonard H van den Berg; C Erik Hack; Peter Boross; W Ludo van der Pol Journal: Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm Date: 2021-11-10