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Immunoglobulin M deposition in cutaneous nerves of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein polyneuropathy patients correlates with axonal degeneration

Stalder, Anna K. and Erne, Beat and Reimann, Regina and Renaud, Susanne and Fuhr, Peter and Thomann, Sandra and Arnold, Andreas and Probst, Alphonse and Schaeren-Wiemers, Nicole and Steck, Andreas J.. (2009) Immunoglobulin M deposition in cutaneous nerves of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein polyneuropathy patients correlates with axonal degeneration. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology : official journal of the American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP), Vol. 68, H. 2. pp. 148-158.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5838853

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Abstract

Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy is an antibody-mediated polyneuropathy. We correlated clinical features, immunoglobulin (Ig) M blood levels, IgM deposition and axonal degeneration in skin biopsies of anti-MAG neuropathy patients. By confocal microscopy, IgM deposits were found exclusively within perineurium-enclosed nerves; they were not found on single, non-perineurium-ensheathed myelinated axons. There was a linear correlation between IgM accumulation in nerve fascicles with IgM blood levels but not with anti-MAG antibody titer or disease duration. Axons with specific IgM deposits had signs of axonal damage, including neurofilament disintegration. Nodal structures were intact even at sites where the axons showed pathologic changes. Ultrastructural analysis revealed degeneration of myelinating Schwann cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that in anti-MAG neuropathy patients, IgM deposits are entrapped within cutaneous perineurium-ensheathed nerve bundles where they accumulate in the endoneurial space. High local IgM levels in the endoneurium may be required for IgM deposition on myelin and subsequent axonal injury and degeneration. This study underlines the importance of early, effective anti-B-cell treatments for preventing progression of this neuropathy.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Biomedizin > Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel > Neurobiology (Schaeren-Wiemers)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Neurologie
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Neurologie
UniBasel Contributors:Fuhr, Peter and Renaud, Susanne and Schaeren-Wiemers, Nicole
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:0022-3069
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Last Modified:24 May 2013 09:21
Deposited On:24 May 2013 09:01

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