Biomedical subjects

Dennis R Mosier

Publications and source records attributed to Dennis R Mosier.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Myasthenia gravis induced in mice by immunization with the recombinant extracellular domain of rat muscle-specific kinase (MuSK).

UNLABELLED: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mostly caused by anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) auto-antibodies (Abs). Such Abs are undetectable in 10-15% of MG patients, but many have anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) Abs. We injected recombinant rat-MuSK extracellular domain in H-2(a), H-2(b), H-2(bm12) and H-2(d) mice. Certain strains exhibited exercise-induced fatigue, tremors, weight loss, and some died after 2-3 injections. Compound muscle action potentials showed decrement with low-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation. Miniature endplate potentials decreased, suggesting lower numbers of endplates functional AChRs. Myasthenic sera inhibited agrin-induced AChR aggregation in C2C12 myotubes. CONCLUSION: Anti-MuSK Abs induce MG, which might also result from blocking the agrin-signaling pathway.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Defective neuromuscular synapses in mice lacking amyloid precursor protein (APP) and APP-Like protein 2.

Biochemical and genetic studies place the amyloid precursor protein (APP) at the center stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Although mutations in the APP gene lead to dominant inheritance of familial AD, the normal function of APP remains elusive. Here, we report that the APP family of proteins plays an essential role in the development of neuromuscular synapses. Mice deficient in APP and its homolog APP-like protein 2 (APLP2) exhibit aberrant apposition of presynaptic marker proteins with postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors and excessive nerve terminal sprouting. The number of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals is dramatically reduced. These structural abnormalities are accompanied by defective neurotransmitter release and a high incidence of synaptic failure. Our results identify APP/APLP2 as key regulators of structure and function of developing neuromuscular synapses.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

PubMed2005

Responses in vitro of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with myasthenia gravis to stimulation with human acetylcholine receptor alpha-chain peptides: analysis in relation to age, thymic abnormality, and ethnicity.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were isolated from 24 patients with myasthenia gravis of three ethnic groups (Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic) and ten healthy individuals. We determined the in vitro proliferative responses of the PBL samples to each of 18 overlapping synthetic peptides corresponding to the entire main extracellular domain (residues 1-210) of the alpha-subunit of human acetylcholine receptor. The profiles of the T-cell responses (expressed in stimulation index [SI]) to the peptides varied among the 24 patient samples. There was a significant difference in the overall patient responses relative to controls toward 17 of 18 peptides. T cells from the patients gave responses greater than control mean SI + 4 standard deviation (Z(SI) > 4) to 2 approximately 9 peptides/sample. Six peptides, alpha 23-38, alpha 34-49, alpha 78-93, alpha 122-138, alpha 146-162, and alpha 182-198, were recognized with Z > 4 level by 42% to 58% of the patients' PBLs. The grouped patient responses, divided according to age, thymic diagnosis, or ethnicity, were compared with controls and with each other. Significant differences were observed between early- and late-onset cases in recognition of residues alpha 34-49 (p = 0.015) and alpha 78-93 (p = 0.053), and in recognition of residues alpha 12-27, alpha 56-71, alpha 134-150, and alpha 146-162 (0.0072 < p < 0.064) when two ethnic groups were compared with each other.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Suppression by mAbs against DQB1 peptides of in vitro proliferation of AChR-specific T cells from myasthenia gravis patients.

It has been indicated that multiple genes, including HLA genes, are collectively involved in the susceptibility to myasthenia gravis (MG). DQB1 alleles represent one of those associated with MG. We have prepared B-cell hybridomas that produce mAbs against peptides corresponding to the tip of the MHC antigen-binding cavity (region 70-90) of alleles DQB1*02, *03, *05 and *06. The mAbs bound to DQ molecules isolated from cells. In the assays using peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with MG, the mAbs against peptides of the correlate HLA DQ sequences inhibited the in vitro proliferation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-specific T cells. The results indicate that the function of disease-related MHC alleles may be blocked by directly and selectively targeting the antigen-presenting region on these MHC molecules. The results also suggest that DQ molecules are one of those involved in the restriction of autoimmune anti-AChR responses in MG. The strategy could provide an effective means for immunointervention in MG. It may also potentially be adapted for down-regulation of undesirable immune responses such as in other autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, or clinical conditions where immune responses to a therapeutic protein develop.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Retraction.

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Retraction Notice↗

PubMed2003

RETRACTED: Reelin promotes peripheral synapse elimination and maturation.

Reelin is an extracellular protein that is crucial for layer formation in the embryonic brain. Here, we demonstrate that Reelin functions postnatally to regulate the development of the neuromuscular junction. Reelin is required for motor end-plate maturation and proper nerve-muscle connectivity, and it directly promotes synapse elimination. Unlike layer formation, neuromuscular junction development requires a function of Reelin that is not mediated by Disabled1 or very-low-density lipoprotein receptors and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 receptors but by a distinct mechanism involving its protease activity.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2002

Immunoglobulin Fc gamma receptor promotes immunoglobulin uptake, immunoglobulin-mediated calcium increase, and neurotransmitter release in motor neurons.

Receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG; FcgammaRs) facilitate IgG uptake by effector cells as well as cellular responses initiated by IgG binding. In earlier studies, we demonstrated that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient IgG can be taken up by motor neuron terminals and transported retrogradely to the cell body and can alter the function of neuromuscular synapses, such as increasing intracellular calcium and spontaneous transmitter release from motor axon terminals after passive transfer. In the present study, we examined whether FcgammaR-mediated processes can contribute to these effects of ALS patient immunoglobulins. F(ab')(2) fragments (which lack the Fc portion) of ALS patient IgG were not taken up by motor axon terminals and were not retrogradely transported. Furthermore, in a genetically modified mouse lacking the gamma subunit of the FcR, the uptake of whole ALS IgG and its ability to enhance intracellular calcium and acetylcholine release were markedly attenuated. These data suggest that FcgammaRs appear to participate in IgG uptake into motor neurons as well as IgG-mediated increases in intracellular calcium and acetylcholine release from motor axon terminals.

Acetylcholine↗