IgG Fc-receptor polymorphisms in Guillain-Barre syndrome

The authors studied immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptor (Fc gamma R.) IIA, IIIA, and IIIB polymorphisms in 62 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and in 89 healthy controls. The Fc gamma R genotypes and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between the patients with GBS and the controls. Patients homozygous for the Fc gamma RIIIB neutrophil antigen (NA) 1 allele had a significantly less severe disease than patients heterozygous or homozygous for the NA2 allele. The Fc gamma RIIIB NA1/NA1 genotype has high affinity for IgG1 and IgG3, and clearance of circulating autoantibodies and immune complexes may therefore be of importance in the pathogenesis of GBS.