Immunolocalization of GQ1b and Related Gangliosides in Human Extraocular Neuromuscular Junctions and Muscle Spindles

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2009-07, Vol.50 (7), p.3226-3232
• Main Authors: Liu, Jing-Xia, Willison, Hugh J, Pedrosa-Domellof, Fatima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Biological and medical sciences; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gangliosides - metabolism; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Middle Aged; Miller Fisher Syndrome - metabolism; Muscle Spindles - metabolism; Neck Muscles - metabolism; Neuromuscular Junction - metabolism; Oculomotor Muscles - metabolism; Ophthalmology; Psoas Muscles - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0146-0404; 1552-5783; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.08-3333

To examine the distribution of anti-GQ1b, -GT1a, and -GD1b antibody binding in human extraocular muscles (EOMs), axial and limb muscles, and muscle spindles and thereby test the hypothesis that their distinctive ganglioside composition provides the molecular basis for selective involvement of EOMs and muscle spindles in Miller Fisher syndrome. Muscle samples from adult human EOMs, vastus lateralis, biceps brachii, lumbrical, psoas, and deep muscles of the neck were processed for immunohistochemistry, with monoclonal antibodies against ganglioside GQ1b, GT1a, and GD1b. Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were detected by alpha-bungarotoxin binding and by acetyl cholinesterase reaction. Most motor endplates of human EOMs richly bound anti-GQ1b, -GT1a, and -GD1b ganglioside antibodies. Anti-GQ1b, -GT1a, and -GD1b ganglioside antibody bindings to NMJs in human limb and axial muscle were scarce, but the nerve terminals inside muscle spindles and in direct contact with intrafusal fibers were labeled with anti- GQ1b, -GT1a, and -GD1b ganglioside antibodies. The abundant and synaptic-specific binding of anti-GQ1b, -GT1a, and -GD1b ganglioside antibodies and the rich capillary supply in the human EOMs may partly explain the selective paralysis of these muscles in Miller Fisher syndrome.