The Fusion Protein <scp>MuSK</scp>‐Fc Functions as a Decoy to Block the Binding of Anti‐<scp>MuSK</scp> Antibodies to <scp>MuSK</scp>

Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MuSKMG) is a rare subtype of MG that is often more refractory to immune treatment than acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. We previously developed AChR-Fc, an Fc fusion protein that neutralises pathogenic autoantibodies and suppresses pathogenic B cells while preserving normal immunity, as a potential treatment for AChR antibody-positive MG. Subsequently, we conducted preliminary experiments on MuSK-Fc, a fusion protein targeting MuSKMG, using patient serum samples. This study examined whether MuSK-Fc binds to MuSK antibodies and inhibits MuSK antibody binding to MuSK. We found that MuSK-Fc specifically binds to MuSK antibodies and prevents their interaction with MuSK. These findings indicate that MuSK-Fc may neutralise pathogenic antibodies and suppress disease activity in MuSKMG.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
Published
2025-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/sji.70033
Primary Topic
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

The Fusion Protein MuSK‐Fc Functions as a Decoy to Block the Binding of Anti‐MuSK Antibodies to MuSK

Akiyuki Uzawa, Satoshi Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Akamine, Yosuke Onishi et al.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
article

The Fusion Protein MuSK‐Fc Functions as a Decoy to Block the Binding of Anti‐MuSK Antibodies to MuSK

Akiyuki Uzawa, Satoshi Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Akamine, Yosuke Onishi, Manato Yasuda, Hideo Handa, Kentaro Kurumada, Etsuko Ogaya
article en

Abstract

Muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MuSKMG) is a rare subtype of MG that is often more refractory to immune treatment than acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. We previously developed AChR-Fc, an Fc fusion protein that neutralises pathogenic autoantibodies and suppresses pathogenic B cells while preserving normal immunity, as a potential treatment for AChR antibody-positive MG. Subsequently, we conducted preliminary experiments on MuSK-Fc, a fusion protein targeting MuSKMG, using patient serum samples. This study examined whether MuSK-Fc binds to MuSK antibodies and inhibits MuSK antibody binding to MuSK. We found that MuSK-Fc specifically binds to MuSK antibodies and prevents their interaction with MuSK. These findings indicate that MuSK-Fc may neutralise pathogenic antibodies and suppress disease activity in MuSKMG.

Scandinavian Journal of ImmunologyVol. 101(5)
Chiba University (JP), University of the Ryukyus (JP)
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 81%
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

The Fusion Protein <scp>MuSK</scp>‐Fc Functions as a Decoy to Block the Binding of Anti‐<scp>MuSK</scp> Antibodies to <scp>MuSK</scp> — Akiyuki Uzawa, Satoshi Kuwabara, et al. · Scandinavian Journal of Immunology (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS