Anti-neural calcium channel antibodies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

近年来研究发现，肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）患者的抗电压门控钙通道（VGCC）抗体可增强钙电流，导致神经细胞死亡。尽管已知VGCC的α 1亚基的六种以上不同亚型，但尚未直接显示哪种神经元类型的α 1亚基是ALS中抗体的靶点。在本研究中，使用类型特异性抗α 1亚基抗体，我们试图揭示α 1亚型，ALS血清中的抗体与其结合。抗VGCC抗体在25%至65%的患者中呈阳性。ALS患者血清中VGCC抗体的抗α 1亚单位存在异质性。由于抗体的类型特异性在患者中不同，这些抗体对ALS病理生理学的贡献可能因个体患者而异。

It was recently suggested that anti-voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibody in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) could enhance Ca2+ current and cause neuronal cell death. Although more than six distinct subtypes of al subunit of VGCC have been known, it has not been shown directly which neuronal type of al subunit is the target of antibodies in ALS, In this study, using type specific anti-al subunit antibodies, we tried to reveal al subtypes, to which antibodies in ALS serum bind. Anti-VGCC antibodies are positive in 25 to 65% of patients. The heterogeneity of anti-al subumt of VGCC antibodies in ALS serum was shown. Because type-specificity for antibodies vary among patients, contributions of these antibodies to ALS pathophysiology may differ with individual patients.