Li Huanhuan, Pham Minh C, Teng Jinfeng, O'Connor Kevin C, Noviello Colleen M, Hibbs Ryan E
Department of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
Cell. 2025 May 1;188(9):2390-2406.e20. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.004. Epub 2025 Apr 8.
Skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by acetylcholine (ACh) binding to its ionotropic receptors (AChRs) at neuromuscular junctions. In myasthenia gravis (MG), autoantibodies target AChRs, disrupting neurotransmission and causing muscle weakness. While treatments exist, variable patient responses suggest pathogenic heterogeneity. Progress in understanding the molecular basis of MG has been limited by the absence of structures of intact human muscle AChRs. Here, we present high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the human adult AChR in different functional states. Using six MG patient-derived monoclonal antibodies, we mapped distinct epitopes involved in diverse pathogenic mechanisms, including receptor blockade, internalization, and complement activation. Electrophysiological and binding assays revealed how these autoantibodies directly inhibit AChR channel activation. These findings provide critical insights into MG immunopathogenesis, uncovering unrecognized antibody epitope diversity and modes of receptor inhibition, and provide a framework for developing personalized therapies targeting antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders.
骨骼肌收缩是由乙酰胆碱(ACh)与其在神经肌肉接头处的离子型受体(AChRs)结合引发的。在重症肌无力(MG)中,自身抗体靶向AChRs,破坏神经传递并导致肌肉无力。虽然有治疗方法,但患者反应各异表明存在致病异质性。由于缺乏完整的人类肌肉AChRs结构,在理解MG分子基础方面的进展有限。在此,我们展示了处于不同功能状态的成人人类AChR的高分辨率冷冻电子显微镜(cryo-EM)结构。利用六种来自MG患者的单克隆抗体,我们绘制了参与多种致病机制的不同表位,包括受体阻断、内化和补体激活。电生理和结合试验揭示了这些自身抗体如何直接抑制AChR通道激活。这些发现为MG免疫发病机制提供了关键见解,揭示了未被认识的抗体表位多样性和受体抑制模式,并为开发针对抗体介导的自身免疫性疾病的个性化疗法提供了框架。
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