Molecular mimicry in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and melanoma.

ABSTRACT

Polyclonal immunoglobulin M antibodies to the monosialoganglioside GM2, sulfoglucuronyl glycolipids, and sulfatide were detected by thin-layer chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the serum of a patient with melanoma and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Both the patient's serum and polyclonal antibodies against GM2 reacted strongly with a biopsy of melanomatous tissue from the patient, suggesting a process of molecular mimicry.