Abstract
The immunoglobulin heavy chain (VH) gene family usage in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) model was investigated by RNA slot blot hybridization using VH gene family specific probes. Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant BALB/c mice were found to be encoded by VH genes from at least six different families. The Vgam3.8 family was overrepresented in alpha-bungarotoxin blocking mAbs. Expression of cross-reactive idiotypes by anti-AChR mAbs was irrespective of the VH gene family usage. Strain dependent differences in susceptibility for EAMG were not reflected in an aberrant VH gene family usage of anti-AChR mAbs.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
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Antibody Specificity
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Autoantibodies / genetics
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Autoantibodies / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / analysis
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Myasthenia Gravis / genetics
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Myasthenia Gravis / immunology*
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Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*
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Species Specificity
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Torpedo
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Autoantibodies
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
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Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region
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Receptors, Cholinergic