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Are MuSK antibodies the primary cause of myasthenic symptoms?

From the Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disease Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Duygu Selcen, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; e-mail: selcen.duygu{at}mayo.edu

Objective: To investigate the morphologic, electrophysiologic, and molecular correlates of muscle-specific tyrosine kinase-seropositive [MuSK(+)] myasthenia gravis (MG).

Background: Anti-MuSK antibodies are detected in some of acetylcholine receptor-seronegative [AChR(–)] patients with MG with prominent facial, bulbar, and respiratory muscle involvement. The morphologic and electrophysiologic correlates of MuSK(+) MG have not been investigated to date.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and in vitro electrophysiology studies were performed on an intercostal muscle specimen of a patient with MuSK(+) MG and in control subjects. MUSK was directly sequenced, and the nucleotide changes were traced with allele-specific PCR in control subjects.

Results: A man aged 34 years has had facial weakness since childhood and progressive bulbar and respiratory muscle weakness and intermittent diplopia since age 21 years. He has thin temporalis and masseter muscles, a high-arched palate, and an atrophic tongue. EMG shows a 36% decrement in facial muscles. His mother has similar facial features. His endplates (EPs) show no AChR or MuSK deficiency, but the amplitudes of the miniature EP potentials and currents are reduced to 35% and 55% of normal, respectively. EP ultrastructure is well preserved, but some junctional folds immunostain faintly for immunoglobulin G. Mutation analysis of MUSK reveals one rare and two common DNA polymorphisms.

Conclusions: 1) The circulating anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies caused neither muscle-specific tyrosine kinase nor acetylcholine receptor deficiency at the endplates; 2) the reduced intercostal miniature endplate potential and current amplitudes were not accounted for by acetylcholine receptor deficiency; 3) the faint immunoglobulin G deposits at the endplates may or may not represent anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies; and 4) the anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies may not be the primary cause of myasthenic symptoms in this patient.

Received December 31, 2003. Accepted in final form February 13, 2004.

See also pages 1920, 2131, and 2132

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