Myasthenia gravis

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Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease which results from antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the junction between the nerve and muscle. This prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions.

Acetylcholine[edit | edit source]

Autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptors, alpha subunit have been found in patients with myasthenia gravis. These cross react with herpesvirus glycoprotein D. [1] Antibodies to acetylcholine receptor and HSV-1 antigens crossreact.[2]

B cells from myasthenia gravis patient stimulated in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus produced acetylcholine autoantibodies.[3] Ongoing EBV infection of the thymus has been posited as a causative agent for the production of aceytlcholine receptor autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis.[4][5]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Angelini, Lucia; Bardare, Maria; Martini, Alberto; Mariani, Fondazione Pierfranco e Luisa (2002). Immune-mediated Disorders of the Central Nervous System in Children. John Libbey Eurotext. p. 7. ISBN 9780861966318.
  2. Gebhardt, B.M. (June 26, 2000). "Evidence for antigenic cross-reactivity between herpesvirus and the acetylcholine receptor". Journal of Neuroimmunology. 105 (2): 145–153. ISSN 0165-5728. PMID 10742556.
  3. Brenner, T.; Timore, Y.; Wirguin, I.; Abramsky, O.; Steinitz, M. (October 1989). "In vitro synthesis of antibodies to acetylcholine receptor by Epstein-Barr virus-stimulated B-lymphocytes derived from patients with myasthenia gravis". Journal of Neuroimmunology. 24 (3): 217–222. ISSN 0165-5728. PMID 2553772.
  4. Minarovits, Janos; Kaminski, Henry J. "Epstein-barr virus: Trigger for autoimmunity?". Annals of Neurology: NA–NA. ISSN 0364-5134.
  5. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/_layouts/15/oaks.journals.mobile/post.aspx?blogId=2&postId=10