Anti-GM1/GD1a complex antibodies in GBS sera specifically recognize the hybrid dimer GM1-GD1a

Glycobiology. 2012 Mar;22(3):352-60. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwr139. Epub 2011 Sep 14.

Abstract

It is now emerging the new concept that the antibodies from some patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) recognize an antigenic epitope formed by two different gangliosides, a ganglioside complex (GSC). We prepared the dimeric GM1-GD1a hybrid ganglioside derivative that contains two structurally different oligosaccharide chains to mimic the GSC. We use this compound to analyze sera from GBS patients by high-performance thin-layer chromatography immunostaining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also synthesized the dimeric GM1-GM1 and GD1a-GD1a compounds that were used in control experiments together with natural gangliosides. The hybrid dimeric GM1-GD1a was specifically recognized by human sera from GBS patients that developed anti-oligosaccharide antibodies specific for grouped complex oligosaccharides, confirming the information that GBS patients developed antibodies against a GSC. High-resolution (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear single-quantum coherence-nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed an interaction between the IV Gal-H1 of GM1 and the IV Gal-H2 of GD1a suggesting that the two oligosaccharide chains of the dimeric ganglioside form a single epitope recognized by a single-antibody domain. The availability of a method capable to prepare several hybrid gangliosides, and the availability of simple analytical approaches, opens new perspectives for the understanding and the therapy of several neuropathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoantigens / chemistry
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / chemistry
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology*
  • Gangliosides / chemistry
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / blood*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Oligosaccharides, Branched-Chain / chemical synthesis
  • Oligosaccharides, Branched-Chain / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides, Branched-Chain / immunology
  • Protein Binding
  • Serum

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • Epitopes
  • Gangliosides
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Oligosaccharides, Branched-Chain
  • ganglioside, GD1a
  • G(M1) Ganglioside