Did you know that testing protein levels in our bodies can tell researchers about our health? In some cases, it can even give insight into disease progression and development. According to Myasthenia Gravis News, Japanese researchers recently tested this by researching the relationship between immune proteins and myasthenia gravis (MG). Ultimately, they discovered that changes in complement-associated proteins may demonstrate early onset MG. Read their full findings in the European Journal of Neurology.
Immune Proteins
Complement System
The immune proteins we’ll be discussing today are part of the complement system. According to the British Society for Immunology, the complement system:
refers to a series of [>30] proteins, circulating in the blood and tissue fluids. Most of the proteins are normally inactive, but in response to the recognition of molecular components of microorganisms they become sequentially activated in an enzyme cascade – the activation of one protein enzymatically cleaves and activates the next protein in the cascade.
Basically, the complement system and its immune proteins are activated when stimuli are introduced to the body: bacteria, viruses. These systems fight infections in your body. However, defects in the complement system, or overactive proteins, are linked to autoimmune conditions like myasthenia gravis and lupus.
The Research
In this recent study, researchers analyzed the relationship between generalized myasthenia gravis and immune proteins. The average participant age was 52.6 years old. A majority of the participants were women. Researchers used patients with multiple system atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AML) as a control.
Compared to controls, patients with myasthenia gravis showed higher levels of complement proteins. However, the only two proteins with statistical significance were vitronectin and properdin. Patients with myasthenia gravis had excess vitronectin and low properdin. Properdin deficiency is linked to lupus. Alternately, vitronectin levels rise when additional inflammation is present. Interestingly, properdin is usually a complement activator and vitronectin an inhibitor. However, the two seem to swap in myasthenia gravis. Finally, researchers note that heightened victronectin levels could be biomarkers for early-stage MG.
Myasthenia Gravis
The aptly named myasthenia gravis, which means “grave muscle weakness,” is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder causing muscle fatigue and weakness in controlled muscle groups. Symptoms and weakness worsen with activity. The immune system attacks proteins which prompt nerve-muscle communication. Myasthenia gravis is only life-threatening in a small number of cases. Symptoms include:
- Blurry or double vision
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Respiratory and breathing difficulties
- Slurring speech
- Drooping eyelids
- Muscle weakness
Learn more about myasthenia gravis here.
