Autoantibodies to Munc18, cerebral plasma cells and B-lymphocytes in Rasmussen encephalitis

Epilepsy Res. 2008 Jul;80(1):93-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.03.007. Epub 2008 Apr 28.

Abstract

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare form of severe unihemispheric epilepsy established to be an autoimmune disease. Here we demonstrate the presence of autoantibodies against Munc18-1 in 20% of patients collective with biopsy-proven RE. Intriguingly, brain biopsy specimens of these patients showed a striking perivascular accentuated infiltration of B-lymphocytes and plasma cells, suggesting a subgroup of RE patients harboring Munc18-1 antibodies and concomitant B- and plasma cell infiltration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Child
  • Encephalitis* / immunology
  • Encephalitis* / metabolism
  • Encephalitis* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Munc18 Proteins / immunology*
  • Plasma Cells / pathology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Autoantibodies
  • Munc18 Proteins