Monospecific high-affinity and complement activating anti-GM1 antibodies are determinants in experimental axonal neuropathy

J Neurol Sci. 2010 Jun 15;293(1-2):76-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2010.03.003. Epub 2010 Apr 10.

Abstract

It has been difficult to replicate consistently the experimental model of axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We immunized rabbits with two lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS1 and LOS2) derived from the same C. jejuni strain and purified in a slightly different way. LOS1 did not contain proteins whereas several proteins were present in LOS2. In spite of a robust anti-GM1 antibody response in all animals the neuropathy developed only in rabbits immunized with LOS1. To explain this discrepancy we investigated fine specificity, affinity and ability to activate the complement of anti-GM1 antibodies. Only rabbits immunized with LOS1 showed monospecific high-affinity antibodies which activated more effectively the complement. Although it is not well understood how monospecific high-affinity antibodies are induced these are crucial for the induction of experimental axonal neuropathy. Only a strict adherence to the protocols demonstrated to be successful may guarantee the reproducibility and increase the confidence in the animal model as a reliable tool for the study of the human axonal GBS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies
  • Axons / pathology*
  • Binding Sites, Antibody / immunology
  • Campylobacter Infections / complications
  • Campylobacter jejuni / pathogenicity
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Gangliosidosis, GM1 / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / etiology
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Complement System Proteins