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Alpha7-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in two patients with Rasmussen encephalitis.
R Watson1, J E C Jepson, I Bermudez
1Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
Antibodies targeting alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were found in Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) patients. These antibodies may play a pathogenic role in RE by disrupting nAChR function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Autoimmunity
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare autoimmune disease affecting the brain.
- The specific targets of pathogenic antibodies in RE are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether antibodies in RE sera target human alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
Main Methods:
- Screening of RE patient sera for antibodies against alpha7 nAChRs.
- Utilizing electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and ligand binding assays.
Main Results:
- Sera from two of nine RE patients demonstrated significant blocking of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced currents.
- These sera also inhibited ACh-induced intracellular calcium rise and alpha-bungarotoxin binding.
Conclusions:
- The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is identified as a potential target for pathogenic antibodies in Rasmussen encephalitis.
- This finding suggests a novel autoimmune mechanism in RE.
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