Mechanism of action of voltage-gated K+ channel antibodies in acquired neuromyotonia.

Tomimitsu, Hisanori; Arimura, Kimiyoshi; Nagado, Tatsui; Watanabe, Osamu; Otsuka, Reika; Kurono, Asutsugu; Sonoda, Yoshito; Osame, Mitsuhiro et al. · Ann Neurol · 2004

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Abstract

Acquired neuromyotonia (ANM) is associated with antibodies to voltage-gated K+ channels (VGKCs). ANM sera reduce the number of K+ currents in neuronal cell lines, but it is not clear how the antibodies act. Here, we show by using the NB-1 cell line that the reduction in K+ currents by IgG is independent of added complement. IgG Fc and Fab fragments from ANM sera had no effect, but three of four ANM F(ab')2 fragments significantly reduced K+ currents. Thus, cross-linking of the channels by divalent antibodies is likely to be an important mechanism in reducing K+ currents.

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