acetylcholine receptor antibody

acetylcholine receptor antibody

AChR antibodies, motor end plate antibody Clinical immunology A group of antibodies that are reactive with epitopes other than the binding site for acetylcholine or α-bungarotoxin; AChR-binding antibodies wax and wane as a function of disease severity, and block and destroy acetylcholine receptors, causing muscle weakness; although serum levels of ARAs correlate poorly with severity of weakness, MG may improve with immunosuppressive therapy Specimen Serum at room temperature Ref range < 0.03 nmol/L Method Radioreceptor assay Comments Failure to maintain specimen at room temperature interferes with results; Pts undergoing thymectomy, thoracic duct drainage, immunospressive therapy or plasmapheresis may have ↓ levels. See Anti-striated muscle antibody, Myasthenia gravis.