Galactosylation of serum immunoglobulin G in myasthenia gravis with different autoantibodies.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease with impaired transmission at the neuromuscular junction, characterised by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. In acquired autoimmune MG, antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChRAb) or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSKAb) are present. There is not much data about immunoglobulin G (IgG) galactosylation in MG, and none based on interactions with lectins. This study aims to examine IgG galactosylation in two types of myasthenia, using affinity immunoelectrophoresis with lectin concanavalin A (Con A). Affinity of Con A-IgG interaction, expressed as retardation coefficient (R), indicated the presence of degalactosylated IgG. The average