Work

Antiserum from a patient with cerebellar degeneration identifies a novel protein in Purkinje cells, cortical neurons, and neuroectodermal tumors

Year: 1991

Type: article

Abstract: The serum and cerebrospinal fluid of a patient (NB) with subacute cerebellar degeneration were found to contain a novel antineuronal autoantibody (anti-Nb). Using this antibody, we have identified and characterized antigens present in a subset of neurons in the CNS and in some neuroectodermal tumor lines. Anti-Nb antibody bound to antigens of Mr 150, 120, and 65 kDa in Western blots using extracts of human cerebellar Purkinje cells or human cerebral cortical neurons. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated relatively specific binding of anti-Nb IgG to Purkinje cells in sections of human cerebellum and to some neocortical neurons, especially those in layer VI. Because of the association of cerebellar degeneration with occult malignancies, we screened a number of tumor cell lines for immunoreactivity to anti-Nb antibody; only tumor lines of neuroectodermal origin (melanoma, small-cell lung cancer, and neuroblastoma) expressed the Nb antigen. Anti-Nb antibody thus identifies neuronal and tumor cell antigens that appear to be unique in size and distribution of expression.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.11-05-01224.1991

Authors: RB Darnell, HM Furneaux, JB Posner

Institution: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke