Chapter 27: Diseases of the NMJ and Skeletal Muscle Flashcards
Disorders of NMJs present with what?
Painless muscle weakness and fatigue
Myastheina Gravis is associated with autoantibodies against what?
- ACh receptors on post-synaptic membrane (85% cases)
- Muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (15%)
There is a strong association with the AChR autoantibodies seen in Myathenia Gravis and which abnormalities?
Thymic abnormalities: Thymoma and Thymic hyperplasia
What is the histology of thymic hyperplasia?
B-cell follicles in the thymus associated with thymic hyperplasia
What is the classic age of onset of myasthenia gravis?
- bimodal age
- 2:1 W:M in younger adults;
- Older adults, male predominance
Myasthenia gravis patients with AChR autoantibodies usually present with what signs/sx’s?
- Fluctuating weakness that worsens with exertion and over course of day
-Diminished responses after repeated stimulation
- Diplopia** and **ptosis due to involvement of extra-ocular muscles
What electrophysiologic findings help distinguish Myasthenia Gravis and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome?
- M.G. = Diminished muscle responses after repeated stimulation
- L.E.M.S = Increased muscle response after repeated stimulation
Patients with myasthenia gravis with antibodies to muscle specific tyrosine kinase exhibit more _______?
they exhibit more focal muscle involvement
What is 1st line tx for Myasthenia Gravis and what other tx’s can be used to control the sx’s?
- 1st line = Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- Plasmapheresis and immunosuppressives (glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, rituximab) –> ↓ autoAb titers
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder due to what?
Antibodies block ACh release by inhibiting pre-synaptic Ca2+ channel
50% of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome cases are associated with what underlying condition?
Malignancy; most often small-cell carcinoma of lung (neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung)
Pt’s with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome typically present with what sx’s?
Weakness of the extremities and autonomic dysfunction
-symptoms may precede diagnosis of cancer, sometimes by years
What is the treatment for Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome?
drugs that increase ACh release by depolarizing synaptic membranes and immunosuppressive agents
What are congenital myasthenic syndromes?
rare disorders, most commonly autosomal recessive
-marked by varying degrees of muscle weakness
What is the most common causative mutation of congenital myasthenic syndromes?
loss of function mutations in gene encoding E-subunit of ACh receptor
Many patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes present when and how?
in the perinatal period with poor muscle tone, external eye muscle weakness, and breathing difficulties
what is the clinical presentation of congenital myasthenic syndromes?
response to drugs such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and prognosis depend largely on the underlying mutation
what are 2 examples of a toxin that causes a disorder at the NMJ?
Clostridium botulinum → botox (neurotoxin) blocks release of acetylcholine
-Curare
what is the gram stain of clostridium botulinum?
anaerobic gram-positive
What is Curare and what is its effect on the NMJ?
- a plant derived muscle relaxant that blocks AChR
- leads to flaccid paralysis
what is the small pool of tissue stem cells in the fascicles referred to as?
What is their role?
- satellite cells
- can contribute to muscle regeneration following injury
There are 3 patterns of muscle atrophy, what are they?
- Neurogenic
- Dermatomyositis
- Prolonged corticosteroid treatment and disuse
Type II fiber atrophy with sparing of type I fibers is seen with what?
Prolonged corticosteroid therapy or disuse
Clusters or groups of atrophic skeletal muscle fibers are seen in which disorders?
Neurogenic diseases
Primary myopathic injuries are associated with 3 distinct sets of morphologic changes. What are they?
- segmental myofiber degeneration and regeneration
- myofiber hypertrophy
- cytoplasmic inclusions
What is occurring in segmental myofiber degeneration and regeneration?
creatine kinase is being released into the blood
Regenerating myofibers are rich in what and stain how in H&E stained sections; characteristic nuclei and nucleoli that are seen?
- RNA and stain basophilic
- Enlarged nuclei and prominent nucleoli
Regeneration can restore normal muscle following an acute, transient injury, but in chronic disease states regeneration often fails to keep pace with damage. What do the muscles often show in these disease states?
- endomysial fibrosis (collagen deposition)
- dropout of myofibers
- fatty replacement
What are the 3 noninfectious inflammatory myopathies?
polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis
What is the histologic hallmark of dermatomyositis?
perifascicular atrophy
what is polymyositis?
- diagnosis of exclusion
- T-cell mediated autoimmune disease affecting skeletal muscles;
- lacks the features of dermatomyositis or inclusion body myositis
many cases traditionally viewed as polymyositis are now regarded as what?
immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) or as a connective tissue disease- associated myositis
What is inclusion body myositis?
-slowly progressive disease associated with distinct inclusions termed “rimmed vacuoles”
What is occurring in dermatomyositis and when does it usually present?
there is damage to small blood vessels leading to muscle injury
-Adults: 4th-6th decade
How does dermatomyositis present?
distinctive skin rash: lilac or heliotrope discoloration of upper eyelids associated with periorbital edema
- telangiectasis in nail folds, eyelids, and gums
- grotten lesions: scaling erythematous eruption or dusky patches over knuckles, elbows, and knees
Which autoantibody type in Dermatomyositis is associated with prominent Gottron papules and heliotrope rash?
Anti-Mi2 antibodies
Which autoantibody type in Dermatomyositis is associated with interstitial lung disease, non-erosive arthritis, and a rash known as “mechanic’s hands?”
Anti-Jo1 antibodies