The Expression of Fc Gamma Receptors in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Nerves (P06.142)

Objective: To investigate the expression level of Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Background Specific anti-ganglioside antibodies (Abs) are strongly associated with some autoimmune neuropathies, particularly with GBS. However, the cellular and molecular/immunological mechanisms involved in anti-ganglioside antibody-mediated nerve injury remain unclear. FcγRs provide an important link between the humoral and cellular immune systems to mediate inflammation. Polymorphisms in activating FcγR genes are associated with risk of developing GBS and severe disease raising the possibility that FcγRs are involved in mediating nerve inflammation and injury. Additionally, the activation receptors, such as FcγRIII, are up-regulated in Wallerian degeneration in animal. In order to further investigate the role of FcγRs in GBS, the expression of different FcγRs in nerve tissue of GBS patients was examined in this study. Design/Methods: Immunocytochemistry was performed to examine and compare the expression of the Fc receptor common γ-chain (which is integral FcγRI and FcγRIIIA), specific FcγRI/CD64, FcγRII/CD32, and FcγRIII/CD16, in the nerve tissue of GBS patients and healthy controls. The expression of different FcγRs in GBS patients and controls was further investigated and confirmed with western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: We found that the activation receptors are significantly upregulated in nerve tissue of GBS patients compared to healthy controls. The increased FcγRs is on macrophages and Schwann cells. We are in the process of evaluating FcγRs expression in disease controls. Conclusions: Our results provide the evidence that FcγRs are upregulated in nerves of GBS patients and raise the possibility that these receptors participate in inflammation and injury in GBS. Supported by: GBS/CIDP Foundation and NIH/NINDS (NS42888 and NS54962). Disclosure: Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kakuru has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bogdanova has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sheikh has nothing to disclose.