Publications by authors named "Bernhardt Vankerckhoven"
Article Synopsis
- Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is crucial for creating and maintaining neuromuscular synapses, and its activation can help treat diseases affecting these connections, such as congenital myasthenia (CM).
- ARGX-119 is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody designed to specifically activate MuSK, improving neuromuscular junction function without disrupting the natural ligand, neural Agrin.
- In studies, ARGX-119 successfully improved neuromuscular function in mouse models of CM, showing promise for treating related neuromuscular disorders in humans, justifying its further clinical development.
Agonist antibody to MuSK protects mice from MuSK myasthenia gravis.
Julien Oury Begona Gamallo-Lana Leah Santana Christophe Steyaert Dana L E Vergoossen Bernhardt Vankerckhoven
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a severe illness that causes muscle weakness because signals from nerves to muscles don't work well.
- In some types of MG, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks important proteins that help muscles respond to signals.
- Researchers found that special antibodies from MG patients can cause muscle disease in mice, but a new type of antibody can help treat it without shutting down the whole immune system.
Background: Intravenous Ig (IVIg), plasma exchange, and immunoadsorption are frequently used in the management of severe autoimmune diseases mediated by pathogenic IgG autoantibodies. These approaches modulating IgG levels can, however, be associated with some severe adverse reactions and a substantial burden to patients. Targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) presents an innovative and potentially more effective, safer, and more convenient alternative for clearing pathogenic IgGs.
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