How nicotinic acetylcholine receptors work in health and autoimmune disease
Structural mechanisms of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in health and disease
This project looks at the shapes and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and how autoantibodies or inherited mutations change them for people with myasthenia gravis and related disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294024 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone affected by neuromuscular or autoimmune conditions, this project uses patient-derived receptor material and advanced imaging to see receptors at high resolution. The team combines cryo-electron microscopy with electrical recordings and functional lab tests to map where autoantibodies bind and how inherited mutations alter channel behavior. For myasthenia gravis they aim to define pathogenic antibody sites, for congenital myasthenic syndromes they compare wild-type and mutant receptors and test drug effects, and they will also determine native neuronal receptor subunit mixtures. The work links structural changes to symptoms and drug responses with the goal of informing better diagnostics and therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with myasthenia gravis or congenital myasthenic syndromes who can provide blood or other clinical samples for antibody and receptor studies.
Not a fit: People without conditions involving nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (for example unrelated autoimmune diseases or purely psychiatric conditions) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to more precise diagnostic tests and guide development or better use of treatments for myasthenia gravis and congenital myasthenic syndromes.
How similar studies have performed: High-resolution structural and electrophysiology approaches have previously clarified receptor function and drug interactions, but applying them specifically to patient autoantibodies and many CMS mutations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hibbs, Ryan E — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hibbs, Ryan E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.