Possible significance of anti-heat shock protein (HSP-65) antibodies in autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder caused by antibody-mediated attack against skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AchR) at neuromuscular junction. A close relationship exists between heat shock proteins (HSPs) and numerous autoimmune diseases. HSPs are over expressed to protect the host against various insults. Antibodies to HSP-65 (IgG, IgA, IgM) are evaluated in 40 MG sera by ELISA. About 80% of MG cases showed anti-HSP antibodies (62.5% IgG, 55% IgA, 40% IgM). The result suggests that, expression of HSP-65 increases in MG and most individuals produce antibodies to it. These antibodies might play a significant role in the pathogenesis of MG.