Tay–Sachs disease is a severe lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the HEXA gene coding for α subunit of lysosomal β-Hexosaminidase A enzyme, which converts GM2 to GM3 ganglioside. HexA−/− mice, depleted of the β-Hexosaminidase A iso-enzyme, remain asymptomatic up to 1 year of age because of a metabolic bypass by neuraminidase(s). These enzymes remove a sialic acid residue converti...

In order to evaluate the usefulness of liposomes as oral vaccines, the stability of liposomes and serum IgA antibody response to antigen associated with liposomes after oral administration were examined. Liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS), and cholesterol (Chol) (1:1:2, molar ratio), distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and Chol (7:...

Compared to conventional antisera strategies, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent an alternative and safer way treat botulism, a fatal flaccid paralysis due botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). In addition, mAbs offer the advantage be produced in reproducible manner. We previously identified unique potent mouse mAb (TA12) targeting BoNT/A1 with high affinity neutralizing activity. this study, we c...

PURPOSE During early development, the ganglioside composition of the retina changes significantly, in that GD3 becomes the primary ganglioside in the mammalian retina. Because gangliosides play an important role in neuronal cell differentiation and proliferation, this change in ganglioside profile may indicate retinal maturation. Dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) such as 20:...

N4-Dinitrophenyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid hydrazide was attached covalently to the aldehyde groups produced by periodate oxidate of bovine brain gangliosides and it was incorporated into mature thymocytes. High concentrations of antibodies to dinitrophenyl (DNP) or lower concentrations followed by protein A agglutinated the cells and stimulated DNA synthesis. Incubation of the thymocytes conta...

Multifocal motor neuropathy is an immune mediated disease presenting with multifocal muscle weakness and conduction block. IgM auto-antibodies against the ganglioside GM1 are detectable in about 50% of the patients. Auto-antibodies against the paranodal proteins contactin-1 and neurofascin-155 and the nodal protein neurofascin-186 have been detected in subgroups of patients with chronic inflamm...

We report a 50-year-old woman who developed localized proximal muscle weakness, in addition to transient elevation of antibodies to GM1 ganglioside, without multifocal conduction block. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and steroid pulse therapy, which were effective for over 10 years. Her clinical course and laboratory tests were consistent with lower motor neuron syndrome...

A convenient, rapid, and reproducible assay was developed to evaluate the immunoreactivity of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies against three different human melanoma-associated antigens, p97, a proteoglycan and a GD3 ganglioside. A cloned melanoma cell line (M 2669 CL 13) was selected as the target and, when fixed with paraformaldehyde, showed binding as good as or better than that obtained w...

Guillain-Barrè syndrome (GBS) is usually associated with symmetrical weakness, and therefore asymmetrical weakness may confuse diagnosis. We report on a patient with GBS subsequent to Campylobacter jejuni enteritis who had asymmetrical weakness with CNS involvement. The patient tested positive for anti-ganglioside antibodies, including anti-GM1 IgM, anti-GD1b IgG, and anti-GT1a IgG. Patients wi...

CD1 are MCH-like glycoproteins specialized in capturing and presenting glycolipid to T cells. Expression of CD1 molecules has been observed on endoneurial machrophages in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and vasculitis and polymorphisms of CID1A and CD1E genes have been associated with susceptibility to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome. In 46 patients with C...