GM1b is a new member of antigen for serum antibody in Guillain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Serum antibody from some patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome recognized an antigen of a minor component in human brain monosialoganglioside fraction. We purified that antigen, which migrated at a position slightly lower than that of GM1 on a thin-layer chromatogram (TLC), by using Iatrobeads column chromatography and preparative TLC. Structural analyses, including fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, showed it to be GM1b. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using purified GM1b showed that anti-GM1b antibody was present in 22 of 104 cases tested. No anti-GM1b antibody was present in the sera from control patients with other diseases or from the normal controls. Four sera recognized only GM1b among the 11 ganglioside antigens tested. The other 18 sera had antibodies to other antigens, most of which shared no terminal epitope with GM1b. Eight of nine sera samples with anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody also had anti-GM1b antibody. Antibody to a minor monosialoganglioside, GM1b, was found to be a useful diagnostic marker for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Further study is needed to determine whether this antibody plays a role in the pathogenetic mechanism of the syndrome.

Molecular Mimicry in Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori Lipopolysaccharides: Contribution of Gastrointestinal Infections to Autoimmunity

“…Some investigators suggest that the presence of anti-GM 1 antibodies in GBS is a marker for the AMAN form of the disease and signifies poor recovery [24][25][26][27][28][29][30], a view not shared by others [31,32]. Yuki et al have described antibodies to a wide range of minor gangliosides in Japanese patients [33][34][35] and, in agreement with other studies, found anti-GM 1b antibodies in 35% of GBS patients [35][36][37].…”

“…Immunization of mouse with GT 1a -containing LPS can produce a serum with anti-GQ 1b antibody and the antibodies were demonstrated to induce the release of acetylcholine, followed by complement-mediated conduction block [126]. In addition, GD 1b immunization has produced sensory ataxic neuropathy in rabbits characterized by axonal degeneration and macrophage infiltration [36]. This is the first established animal model of an antibody-mediated autoimmune neuropathy caused by an immune response to gangliosides.…”

Ganglioside mimicry and peripheral nerve disease

“…Autoantibody to GM1b has been shown to be a useful diagnostic marker of GBS, 72 and anti-GM1b IgG antibody was found to be associated with GBS after C. jejuni enteritis. 145 Of 132 patients with GBS, 19% had anti-GM1b antibody.…”

Clinical features and pathophysiological basis of sensory neuronopathies (ganglionopathies)

“…35 Immunization with GD1b induces an ataxic sensory neuropathy in rabbits. 63 Moreover, Willison et al 113,115 reported that a monoclonal antibody against GQ1b immunostained the DRG and ocular muscle spindles, suggesting that these structures are the targets of an immunological reaction. More recent studies 83 have also suggested a role for anti-GQ1b antibodies in mediating nerve terminal injury, demonstrating that the neuromuscular junction may be an additional target.…”