2024
Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography specifically detects autoantibodies targeting the ganglionic acetylcholine receptor in patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy
Baxter L, Hopkins S, O'Connor K, Pham M, Nowak R, Monson N, Blackburn K, Hibbs R, Vernino S, Noviello C. Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography specifically detects autoantibodies targeting the ganglionic acetylcholine receptor in patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy. Journal Of Neuroimmunology 2024, 396: 578454. PMID: 39277987, DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578454.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAutoimmune autonomic ganglionopathyGanglionic acetylcholine receptorAutonomic ganglionopathyRadioimmunoprecipitation assayFluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatographyAcetylcholine receptorsAutoantibody detectionClinical symptomsDetect autoantibodiesAutoimmune diseasesHealthy controlsPatient seraSize-exclusion-chromatographyAutoantibodiesGAChRGanglionopathySize exclusion chromatographyPatientsReceptors
2023
Remission of severe myasthenia gravis after autologous stem cell transplantation
Schlatter M, Yandamuri S, O'Connor K, Nowak R, Pham M, Obaid A, Redman C, Provost M, McSweeney P, Pearlman M, Tees M, Bowen J, Nash R, Georges G. Remission of severe myasthenia gravis after autologous stem cell transplantation. Annals Of Clinical And Translational Neurology 2023, 10: 2105-2113. PMID: 37726935, PMCID: PMC10646993, DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51898.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHematopoietic cell transplantationRefractory myasthenia gravisAutologous hematopoietic cell transplantationMyasthenia gravisCell transplantationAcetylcholine receptorsAutologous stem cell transplantationPhase 2 clinical trialAmerica (MGFA) clinical classificationMultiple immunomodulatory agentsRabbit antithymocyte globulinSevere myasthenia gravisAutoimmune neurological disordersHigh-dose chemotherapyMyasthenia Gravis FoundationNeuromuscular junction disordersStem cell transplantationTherapeutic plasma exchangeImmune cell subtypesDays of treatmentEffect of treatmentAntithymocyte globulinDisease activityComplete responseUnderwent treatmentIndividual myasthenia gravis autoantibody clones can efficiently mediate multiple mechanisms of pathology
Pham M, Masi G, Patzina R, Obaid A, Oxendine S, Oh S, Payne A, Nowak R, O’Connor K. Individual myasthenia gravis autoantibody clones can efficiently mediate multiple mechanisms of pathology. Acta Neuropathologica 2023, 146: 319-336. PMID: 37344701, PMCID: PMC11380498, DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02603-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMyasthenia gravisAntigenic modulationPathogenic mechanismsAutoimmune myasthenia gravisCurrent therapeutic approachesΑ-bungarotoxin bindingNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsReceptor blockadeSerum autoantibodiesAutoreactive clonesMonoclonal levelTherapeutic approachesMonoclonal autoantibodiesAcetylcholine receptorsComplement activationAutoantibodiesAChR subunitsJurkat cell lineDistinct molecular mechanismsPathogenic profilePathogenic capacityPathologyCell-based assaysMAbsPatients
2022
Reemergence of pathogenic, autoantibody-producing B cell clones in myasthenia gravis following B cell depletion therapy
Fichtner ML, Hoehn KB, Ford EE, Mane-Damas M, Oh S, Waters P, Payne AS, Smith ML, Watson CT, Losen M, Martinez-Martinez P, Nowak RJ, Kleinstein SH, O’Connor K. Reemergence of pathogenic, autoantibody-producing B cell clones in myasthenia gravis following B cell depletion therapy. Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2022, 10: 154. PMID: 36307868, PMCID: PMC9617453, DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01454-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB cell depletion therapyB cell clonesMuSK-MG patientsMyasthenia gravisB cellsMG patientsDepletion therapyCell clonesAutoantibody-producing B cellsMuscle-specific tyrosine kinaseComplete stable remissionB cell receptor repertoireCell receptor repertoireValuable candidate biomarkersB cell receptorMG relapseClinical relapseStable remissionDisease relapseAutoimmune disordersRelapsePatientsAcetylcholine receptorsCandidate biomarkersReceptor repertoire