Monoclonal IgM with unique specificity to gangliosides GM1 and GD1b and to lacto-N-tetraose associated with human motor neuron disease

• Published in: Neurology Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 763 - 768
• Main Authors: LATOV, N, HAYS, A. P, GREENBERG, H. S, ALBERS, J. W, ALESSI, A. G, KEREN, D, YU, R. K, ROWLAND, L. P, KABAT, E. A, DONOFRIO, P. D, LIAO, J, MCGINNIS, S, MANOUSSOS, K, FREDDO, L, SHY, M. E, SHERMAN, W. H, CHANG, H. W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-05-1988
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Autoantibodies - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Epitopes; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; G(M1) Ganglioside - immunology; Gangliosides - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin M - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons; Nerve Tissue - immunology; Neurology; Neuromuscular Diseases - enzymology; Oligosaccharides - immunology; Human; Spinal cord; Nervous system diseases; Antibody; Motor neuron disease; Serum albumin; Neuromuscular junction; IgM; Pathology; Ganglioside; Immunological investigation; Immunofluorescence; Monoclonal immunoglobulin
• ISSN: 0028-3878; 1526-632X
• DOI: 10.1212/WNL.38.5.763

IgM lambda monoclonal antibodies in two patients with motor neuron disease showed the same unique antigenic specificity. They bound to gangliosides GM1 and GD1b and to lacto-N-tetraose-BSA. By immunofluorescence microscopy they bound to central and peripheral nerve tissue and to motor end-plates at the neuromuscular junction. Sera from control subjects did not contain antibodies of similar specificity. Monoclonal IgMs with the same unique specificity could be responsible for motor neuron disease in some patients with monoclonal gammopathies.