Three forms of immune myasthenia

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Sep:998:453-6. doi: 10.1196/annals.1254.059.

Abstract

We propose a new classification for immune myasthenia based on antibody pattern. The types of immune myasthenia presently characterized by known antibody targets segregate into three groups: type 1, in which the muscle target is the acetylcholine receptor only; type 2, in which titin antibodies are present in addition to acetylcholine receptor antibodies; and type 3, in which muscle-specific kinase antibodies are present in the absence of acetylcholine receptor antibodies. The immune target is unknown in the patients with immune myasthenia not associated with these antibodies. This classification has advantages over the present classifications as regards homogeneity of groups, etiology, mechanism of disease, and prognosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / classification*
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Connectin
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Muscle Proteins / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / classification*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Protein Kinases / immunology
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Connectin
  • Epitopes
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • TTN protein, human
  • Protein Kinases
  • MUSK protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases