[Dysglobulinemic neuropathies].

Monoclonal gammopathies are frequently associated with peripheral neuropathies of which clinical, electrophysiological, pathological and possibly pathogenetical aspects are heterogeneous. Nevertheless some clinico-biological entities, which account for the majority of cases, have been recently recognized: 1) The IgM neuropathy is a chronic demyelinating sensori-motor polyneuropathy with tremor and ataxia as prominent features. It can be either associated with MGUS or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Splenocytes from MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice spontaneously produce antibodies against a cell-surface protein cross-reacting with DNA.

Anti-double-stranded (ds) DNA autoantibodies are considered as pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anti-DNA antibodies have been shown to be released by B cells from lupus mice or patients in vitro. A monoclonal anti-DNA antibody (PME 77) specific for dsDNA has previously been shown to react with a cell-surface protein called LAMP (lupus-associated membrane protein), which is present on the cell surface of various cell types involved in SLE pathogenesis.

Presence of antibodies against a cell-surface protein, cross-reactive with DNA, in systemic lupus erythematosus: a marker of the disease.

Antibodies against a cell-surface protein, cross-reactive with double-stranded DNA, were detected in the serum of 25 patients with active human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), defined on the basis of the revised American Rheumatism Association classification. Among these sera, two did not display anti-DNA antibodies, as shown by Farr assay, solid-phase radioimmunoassay, and Crithidia luciliae test. Five other SLE patients were consecutively studied in active and remission states.