In: Nursing
8- Name the primary autoimmune mechanisms in myasthenia gravis Autoantibodies to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction (NNMJ
Answer:
The autoimmune disease like Myasthenia gravis happens in the neuromuscular junction. In this, the weaknes of muscles is seen and the autoantibodies shows their effect on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The neuromuscular junction involves the space between the neuron and skeletal muscle and in the neuromuscular junction, the acetylcholine which is neurotransmitter is released.
-On the post synaptic muscle has acetylcholine receptors and the acetylcholine release from neuron has to bind the Ach receptors in normal conditions and leads to muscle contraction.
--but in Myasthenia gravis, the autoantibodies known as Immunoglobulin G (IgG) also present in the neuromuscular junction and attaches to the acetylcholine receptor ( Ach receptor ) and destroys the structure of skeletal mucle. The autoantibodies like IgG attaches to the acetylcholine receptors and the acetylcholine released from the neuron remains in the post synaptic membrane. due to the binding of antibodies to the acetylcholine receptors, the available Ach receptor sites reduced for acetlcholine.
--After the antibody attaches to the Ach receptor , the neuromuscular transmission is not happen and it results in the no contraction of muscles and leads to weakness of muscles.