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Measurement of antiacetylcholine receptor auto-antibodies in myasthenia gravis


K. J. Steenkamp
W. Duim
M. S. Myer
S. C. K. Malfeld
R. Anderson

Abstract

Two different acetylcholine receptor (AChR) preparations derived from amputated human muscle (AChRAMP) and from the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line TE671 (AChRTE67,) were compared in radio-immunoprecipitation assays for the detection of AChR auto-antibodies in serum specimens from 20 patients with proven myasthenia gravis. Tests performed with the AChRTE67, and AChRAMP antigen preparations were positive in all the patients and in 19/20 respectively. A high degree of correlation (r = 0,94) was evident between the two auto-antigen preparations. Assays based on the use of TE671-derived antigen represent a useful alternative to the conventional assay using AChRAMP  for the detection of AChR autoantibodies.


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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574