Monoclonal IgM gammopathy with anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) activity and polyneuropathy. A study of three cases

Acta Neurol Belg. 1989 Nov-Dec;89(5):331-45.

Abstract

The authors describe three patients with a chronic sensory-motor polyneuropathy associated with a monoclonal IgM gammopathy. In each case, the M-component was shown to display an antibody activity against the Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein (MAG) in a western blot technique. Sera from the three patients stained specifically the myelin sheaths of normal human peripheral nerves after incubation with rabbit anti-IgM. Motor conduction velocities were very low in each case. Morphological studies of the sural nerve from one patient revealed a moderate loss of myelinated fibres, some onion-bulbs but also a microangiopathy and signs of axonal degeneration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Foot / innervation
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin Proteins / immunology*
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Paraproteinemias / complications*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Sural Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein