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 acetyl-choline 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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 453-456 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 998 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2003 |
Keywords
- Acetylcholine receptor (AChR)
- Antibody (Ab)
- Immune myasthenia (IM)
- Pathogenicity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)