A new type of anti-ganglioside antibodies present in neurological patients

Pablo H.H. Lopez, Romina Comín, Andres M. Villa, Mariana Di Egidio, Roberto D. Saizar, Roberto E.P. Sica, Gustavo A. Nores

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

High titers of anti-GA1 antibodies have been associated with neurological syndromes. In most cases, these antibodies cross-react with the structurally related glycolipids GM1 and GD1b, although specific anti-GA1 antibodies have also been reported. The role of specific anti-GA1 antibodies is uncertain since the presence of GA1 in the human nervous system has not been clarified. A rabbit was immunized with GD1a and its sera were screened for antibody reactivity by standard immunoassay methods (HPTLC-immunostaining and ELISA). Anti-GD1a antibodies were not detected but, unexpectedly, anti-GA1 IgG-antibodies were found. Antibody binding to GA 1 was inhibited by soluble GA1 but also by GD 1a. These results indicate that the rabbit produced antibodies that recognize epitopes present on the glycolipids, that are absent or not exposed on solid phase adsorbed GD1a. We investigated the presence of these unusual anti-ganglioside antibodies in normal and neurological patient sera. Approximately, 10% of normal human sera contained low titer of specific anti-GA1 IgG-antibodies but none of them recognized soluble GD 1a. High titers of IgG-antibodies reacting only with GA1 were detected in 12 patient sera out of 325 analyzed. Of these, 6 sera showed binding that was inhibited by soluble GD1a and four of them also by GM1. This new type of anti-ganglioside antibodies should be considered important elements for understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases as well as their diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)357-361
Number of pages5
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
Volume1762
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anti-GA antibody
  • Anti-GD antibody
  • Anti-GM antibody
  • Ganglioside
  • Motor syndrome
  • Neuropathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

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