Autoantibodies to glutamate receptor GluR3 in Rasmussen's encephalitis.
Published
Journal Article
Rasmussen's encephalitis is a progressive childhood disease of unknown cause characterized by severe epilepsy, hemiplegia, dementia, and inflammation of the brain. During efforts to raise antibodies to recombinant glutamate receptors (GluRs), behaviors typical of seizures and histopathologic features mimicking Rasmussen's encephalitis were found in two rabbits immunized with GluR3 protein. A correlation was found between the presence of Rasmussen's encephalitis and serum antibodies to GluR3 detected by protein immunoblot analysis and by immunoreactivity to transfected cells expressing GluR3. Repeated plasma exchanges in one seriously ill child transiently reduced serum titers of GluR3 antibodies, decreased seizure frequency, and improved neurologic function. Thus, GluR3 is an autoantigen in Rasmussen's encephalitis, and an autoimmune process may underlie this disease.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Rogers, SW; Andrews, PI; Gahring, LC; Whisenand, T; Cauley, K; Crain, B; Hughes, TE; Heinemann, SF; McNamara, JO
Published Date
- July 29, 1994
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 265 / 5172
Start / End Page
- 648 - 651
PubMed ID
- 8036512
Pubmed Central ID
- 8036512
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0036-8075
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1126/science.8036512
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States