Ganglioside Antibodies GM1 (IgG or IgM)

Immunology

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Description

Gangliosides are acidic glycosphingolipids in the outer layer of plasma membranes. The gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b and GT1b are usually abundant in the myelin sheath of Schwann cells (peripheral nervous system) and of the oligodendrocytes (central nervous system). Ganglioside M1 (GM1) is the most abundant ganglioside in neuronal membranes. It enhances neurite outgrowth and recovery from injury but can also act as an autoantigen through the galactose-galactosamine part of its sugar moiety. GM1 antibodies are often present in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS), proximal lower motor neurone disease and rarely in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [1]. Both the IgG and IgM isotypes of GM1 antibodies can be detected simultaneously in some of the diseases listed above, especially in MMN. The significance of IgG versus IgM isotypes is not clear. However, the determination of both isotypes helps to broaden the sensitivity and specificity of GM1 antibody testing.

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Indications

Motor neuropathies.

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Sample Type

2mL Serum (Gel 5mL Yellow tube) or 2mL EDTA plasma.
Requests from outside Sheffield: transport at ambient temperature via Royal Mail or Courier.

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Reference Range

Normal result = Negative.

Reference range established by manufacturer and verified in house.

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Turnaround Time

Within 10 days

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Testing Frequency

Alternate weeks

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Patient Preparation

None.

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References

Rinaldi S, Willison HJ. Ganglioside antibodies and neuropathies. Current opinion in neurology. 2008. 21(5): 540-546.
Willison HJ, Plomp JJ. Anti-ganglioside antibodies and the pre-synaptic motor nerve terminal. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2008. 1132:114-123.
PRU Handbook of Autoimmunity. 4th Edition. 2007. Van Sorge NM, et al. Pathogenicity of anti-ganglioside antibodies in the Guillain-Barre syndrome. Autoimmunity reviews. 2004. 3(2):61-68.
Kornberg AJ. Anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies: their role in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of immune-mediated motor neuropathies. J. Clin. Neurosci. 2000. 7(3):191-194.
Adams D, et al. Predictive value of anti-GM1 ganglioside antibodies in neuromuscular diseases: a study of 180 sera. J Neuroimmunology. 1991. 32:223-230. [Ref 1]

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See Also

GD1a
GD1b
GT1b (IgG or IgM)
GQ1b (IgG or IgM)

Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.