Anti-acetylcholine receptor idiotypes in myasthenia gravis analysed by rabbit anti-sera

Clin Exp Immunol. 1985 Jun;60(3):637-44.

Abstract

Anti-idiotype sera, raised in rabbits against anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) (idiotype) purified from the serum of three myasthenia gravis patients, inhibited binding of homologous idiotype to the AChR by up to 80%. The expression of idiotype in the three individuals changed very little over a period of several years, during which they showed a declining trend in overall anti-AChR antibody. Only one of the four anti-idiotype sera inhibited the binding of anti-AChR from a number of other patients. Our results indicate a consistency of idiotype expression within an individual, and fail to show substantial idiotype sharing between individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / analysis*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology*
  • Rabbits
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
  • Receptors, Cholinergic