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Acquired canine myasthenia gravis: Immunocytochemical localization of immune complexes at neuromuscular junctions
Author(s) -
Pflugfelder Christina M.,
Cardinet George H.,
Lutz Hans,
Holliday Terrell A.,
Hansen Robert J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880040405
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , acetylcholine receptor , horseradish peroxidase , neuromuscular junction , postsynaptic potential , immune system , antibody , synapse , receptor , immunology , biology , chemistry , medicine , neuroscience , biochemistry , enzyme
In the acquired form of myasthenia gravis in dogs, there are circulating antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and a reduction in the number of AChRs in the postsynaptic membrane. In this study, immune complexes were localized at the neuromuscular junctions in biopsy samples from 10 myasthenic dogs by immunocytochemical means employing conjugates of staphylococcal protein A and horseradish peroxidase. Immune complexes were observed in approximately 70% of the neuromuscular junctions studied in both type 1 and type 2 myofibers. Thus, acquired canine myasthenia gravis appears to involve immune‐mediated mechanisms that destroy AChRs in a manner similar to myasthenia gravis in humans. Protein A was also observed to bind principally to elastic fibers in small arteries and arterioles of some myasthenic and control dogs; however, the significance of that localization is unknown.