De Baets M, Stassen M H W
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
J Neurol Sci. 2002 Oct 15;202(1-2):5-11. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00200-9.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease associated with antibodies directed to the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor. These antibodies reduce the number of receptors. Autoantibodies against AChR and other muscle antigens can be used for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and related disorders. The origin and the role of these antibodies in the disease are discussed. Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, an experimental model closely mimicking the disease, has provided answers to many questions about the role of antibodies, complement macrophages and AChR anchor proteins. Genetically modified anti-AChR antibodies may also be used in the future to treat myasthenia.
重症肌无力是一种自身免疫性疾病，与针对突触后乙酰胆碱受体的抗体有关。这些抗体减少了受体的数量。抗乙酰胆碱受体和其他肌肉抗原的自身抗体可用于重症肌无力及相关疾病的诊断。本文讨论了这些抗体在疾病中的起源和作用。实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力是一种与该疾病极为相似的实验模型，它为许多关于抗体、补体巨噬细胞和乙酰胆碱受体锚定蛋白作用的问题提供了答案。基因改造的抗乙酰胆碱受体抗体未来也可能用于治疗重症肌无力。
