8049 – Anti-MuSK IFA

The Anti-MuSK IFA is an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of IgG antibodies in human serum against muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MUSK) on HEp-2 cells. The Anti-MuSK IFA is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Myasthenia gravis (MG), a neurological disease characterized by disturbed signal transmission between nerves and muscles, is an autoimmune disease, caused by autoantibodies directed against the striated muscle of the motor end plate. In most cases (ca 85%), acetylcholine receptor antibodies are detectable. Antibodies against muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) are also detectable in 1 – 10% of cases. In other cases, the so-called low affinity acetylcholine-receptor-antibodies or antibodies against the lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP4) are seen.

The IFA (indirect immunofluorescence assay) is an immunoassay for the determination of specific antibodies. Tissue sections or cells containing the antigen of interest are immobilized on slides. If specific antibodies are present in the patient´s sample, they bind to the antigen in the tissue. A secondary biotinylated antibody and streptavidin conjugated with fluorescein-isothiocyanat (FITC) detect the generated immune complex. The slides are examined using a fluorescence microscope. A specific fluorescent staining pattern demonstrates the presence of specific antibodies in the patient´s sample.

The immunoassay is designed for manual professional in vitro diagnostic use.