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Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Dec 2023Celiac disease is a common gastroenterological illness. Current diagnostics of the disease are based on serological markers and histology of duodenal biopsies. Hitherto,... (Review)
Review
Celiac disease is a common gastroenterological illness. Current diagnostics of the disease are based on serological markers and histology of duodenal biopsies. Hitherto, a strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment and is necessary for good control of the disease. Serological tests in current use have very high specificity and sensitivity for diagnostics, but in follow-up they have some limitations. Their levels do not accurately reflect mucosal healing, and they are unable to detect minimal transgressions in the diet. This problem is significant in patients with IgA deficiency, and there exist no robust follow-up tools for monitoring these patients' adherence to treatment. For their follow-up, we currently use IgG-based tests, and these antibodies persist for a long time even when a patient has stopped consuming gluten. More accurate and specific biomarkers are definitely needed. Adherence to a gluten-free diet is essential not only for intestinal mucosa healing and alleviation of symptoms but also for preventing complications associated with celiac disease. Here, we summarize current evidence regarding noninvasive biomarkers potentially useful for follow-up not only of patients with IgA deficiency but for all patients with celiac disease. We describe several very promising biomarkers with potential to be part of clinical practice in the near future.
Topics: Humans; Celiac Disease; Follow-Up Studies; IgA Deficiency; Glutens; Diet, Gluten-Free; Biomarkers; Immunoglobulin A
PubMed: 38147608
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-4926 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD), characterized by a serum IgA level below 0.07 mg/ml, while displaying normal serum levels of IgM and IgG antibodies, is the most... (Review)
Review
Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD), characterized by a serum IgA level below 0.07 mg/ml, while displaying normal serum levels of IgM and IgG antibodies, is the most frequently occurring primary immunodeficiency that reveals itself after the first four years after birth. These individuals with SIgAD are for the majority healthy and even when they are identified they are usually not investigated further or followed up. However, recent studies show that newborns and young infants already display clinical manifestations of this condition due to aberrancies in their immune defense. Interestingly, there is a huge heterogeneity in the clinical symptoms of the affected individuals. More than 50% of the affected individuals do not have clinical symptoms, while the individuals that do show clinical symptoms can suffer from mild to severe infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases. However, the reason for this heterogeneity in the manifestation of clinical symptoms of the individuals with SIgAD is unknown. Therefore, this review focusses on the characteristics of innate immune system driving T-cell independent IgA production and providing a mechanism underlying the development of SIgAD. Thereby, we focus on some important genes, including TNFRSF13B (encoding TACI), associated with SIgAD and the involvement of epigenetics, which will cover the methylation degree of TNFRSF13B, and environmental factors, including the gut microbiota, in the development of SIgAD. Currently, no specific treatment for SIgAD exists and novel therapeutic strategies could be developed based on the discussed information.
Topics: Epigenesis, Genetic; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunity, Innate; Immunoglobulin A; Infant; Infant, Newborn; T-Lymphocytes; Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
PubMed: 33981304
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.649112 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021A large repertoire of IgA is produced by B lymphocytes with T-independent and T-dependent mechanisms useful in defense against pathogenic microorganisms and to reduce... (Review)
Review
A large repertoire of IgA is produced by B lymphocytes with T-independent and T-dependent mechanisms useful in defense against pathogenic microorganisms and to reduce immune activation. IgA is active against several pathogens, including rotavirus, poliovirus, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2. It protects the epithelial barriers from pathogens and modulates excessive immune responses in inflammatory diseases. An early SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral response is dominated by IgA antibodies responses greatly contributing to virus neutralization. The lack of anti-SARS-Cov-2 IgA and secretory IgA (sIgA) might represent a possible cause of COVID-19 severity, vaccine failure, and possible cause of prolonged viral shedding in patients with Primary Antibody Deficiencies, including patients with Selective IgA Deficiency. Differently from other primary antibody deficiency entities, Selective IgA Deficiency occurs in the vast majority of patients as an asymptomatic condition, and it is often an unrecognized, Studies are needed to clarify the open questions raised by possible consequences of a lack of an IgA response to SARS-CoV-2.
Topics: Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunoglobulin A; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Shedding
PubMed: 33889552
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.655896 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jul 2019Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic autoimmune disease driven by gluten-ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. Although it primarily affects the small bowel, CD... (Review)
Review
Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic autoimmune disease driven by gluten-ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. Although it primarily affects the small bowel, CD can also involve other organs and manifest as an extraintestinal disease. Among the extraintestinal features of CD, hematologic ones are rather frequent and consist of anemia, thrombocytosis (thrombocytopenia also, but rare), thrombotic or hemorrhagic events, IgA deficiency, hyposplenism, and lymphoma. These hematologic alterations can be the sole manifestation of the disease and should prompt for CD testing in a suggestive clinical scenario. Recognition of these atypical, extraintestinal presentations, including hematologic ones, could represent a great opportunity to increase the diagnostic rate of CD, which is currently one of the most underdiagnosed chronic digestive disorders worldwide. In this review, we summarize recent evidence regarding the hematological manifestations of CD, with focus on practical recommendations for clinicians.
Topics: Anemia; Celiac Disease; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Lymphoma
PubMed: 31311098
DOI: 10.3390/medicina55070373 -
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology &... Jul 2020To investigate the immunologic impact of a single cycle of rituximab (RTX) in children and adolescents with immune-mediated disorders, we evaluated B cells and...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunologic impact of a single cycle of rituximab (RTX) in children and adolescents with immune-mediated disorders, we evaluated B cells and immunoglobulin levels of 20 patients with neuroimmunologic, nephrologic, dermatologic, and rheumatologic disorders treated under recommended guidelines.
METHODS
Retrospective study of immunologic changes in children (aged ≤18 years) diagnosed with immune-mediated disorders in which RTX was prescribed between June 2014 and February 2019. Patients were excluded if they had prior diagnosis of malignant disease or primary immunodeficiency. Patients were clinically and immunologically followed up every 3 months. Only patients having received a single cycle of RTX and with a follow-up greater than 12 months were included in the analysis of persistent dysgammaglobulinemia.
RESULTS
Twenty children were included. Median age at RTX treatment was 12.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 6.6-15.5 years). Median follow-up was 12.6 months (IQR 10.2-24 months). Of the 14 patients eligible for persistent dysgammaglobulinemia analysis (3 had received RTX retreatment, 2 had <12 months post-RTX follow-up, and in 1 data for this time point was missing), 2/14 (14%) remained with complete B-cell depletion, and 5/14 (36%) had dysgammaglobulinemia. Patients with dysgammaglobulinemia were younger (7.8 vs 15.6 years, = 0.072), had more underlying neuroimmunologic diseases (5/5 vs 0/9, < 0.001), and had received more frequently concentrated doses of RTX (3/5 vs 1/9, = 0.05) than patients without dysgammaglobulinemia. Kinetics of immunoglobulins in the 20 patients revealed a decrease as early as 3 months after RTX in patients with neuroimmunologic disorders.
CONCLUSION
In our cohort, single-cycle RTX-induced dysgammaglobulinemia was enhanced in patients with neuroimmunologic diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation.
Topics: Adolescent; B-Lymphocytes; Child; Child, Preschool; Dysgammaglobulinemia; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Immunologic Factors; Male; Retrospective Studies; Rituximab
PubMed: 32376706
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000724 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Sep 2023Secretory IgA interacts with commensal bacteria, but its impact on human mycobiota ecology has not been widely explored. In particular, whether human IgA-deficiency is...
BACKGROUND
Secretory IgA interacts with commensal bacteria, but its impact on human mycobiota ecology has not been widely explored. In particular, whether human IgA-deficiency is associated with gut fungal dysbiosis remains unknown.
OBJECTIVES
Our goal was to study the impact of IgA on gut mycobiota ecology.
METHODS
The Fungi-Flow method was used to characterize fecal, systemic, and maternal IgA, IgM, and IgG responses against 14 representative fungal strains (yeast/spores or hyphae forms) in healthy donors (HDs) (n = 34, 31, and 20, respectively) and to also compare gut mycobiota opsonization by secretory antibodies in HDs (n = 28) and patients with selective IgA deficiency (SIgAd) (n = 12). Stool mycobiota composition was determined by internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing in HDs (n = 23) and patients with SIgAd (n = 17). Circulating CD4 T-cell cytokine secretion profiles were determined by intracellular staining. The impact of secretory IgA, purified from breast milk (n = 9), on Candidaalbicans growth and intestinal Caco-2 cell invasion was tested in vitro.
RESULTS
Homeostatic IgA binds commensal fungi with a body fluid-selective pattern of recognition. In patients with SIgAd, fungal gut ecology is preserved by compensatory IgM binding to commensal fungi. Gut Calbicans overgrowth nevertheless occurs in this condition but only in clinically symptomatic patients with decreased T17/T22 T-cell responses. Indeed, secretory IgA can reduce in vitro budding and invasion of intestinal cells by Calbicans and therefore exert control on this pathobiont.
CONCLUSION
IgA has a selective impact on Calbicans ecology to preserve fungal-host mutualism.
Topics: Female; Humans; Candida albicans; Caco-2 Cells; IgA Deficiency; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin M
PubMed: 37169153
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.03.033 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
PubMed: 36052063
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.959720 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jan 2022Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common human primary immune deficiency (PID). It is classified as a humoral PID characterized by isolated deficiency of IgA... (Review)
Review
Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common human primary immune deficiency (PID). It is classified as a humoral PID characterized by isolated deficiency of IgA (less than 7 mg/dL but normal serum IgG and IgM) in subjects greater than 4 years of age. Intrinsic defects in the maturation of B cells and a perturbation of Th cells and/or cytokine signals have been hypothesized to contribute to SIgAD pathogenesis. The genetic basis of IgA deficiency remains to be clarified. Patients with SIgAD can be either asymptomatic or symptomatic with clinical manifestations including allergy, autoimmunity and recurrent infections mainly of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Studies analyzing allergy on SIgAD patients showed prevalence up to 84%, supporting in most cases the relationship between sIgAD and allergic disease. However, the prevalence of allergic disorders may be influenced by various factors. Thus, the question of whether allergy is more common in SIgAD patients compared to healthy subjects remains to be defined. Different hypotheses support an increased susceptibility to allergy in subjects with SIgAD. Recurrent infections due to loss of secretory IgA might have a role in the pathogenesis of allergy, and vice versa. Perturbation of microbiota also plays a role. The aim of this review is to examine the association between SIgAD and atopic disease and to update readers on advances over time at this important interface between allergy and SIgAD.
Topics: Autoimmunity; B-Lymphocytes; Humans; Hypersensitivity; IgA Deficiency; Prevalence
PubMed: 35056437
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58010129 -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Aug 2022The field of Immunology is one that has undergone great expansion in recent years. With the advent of new diagnostic modalities including a variety of genetic tests... (Review)
Review
The field of Immunology is one that has undergone great expansion in recent years. With the advent of new diagnostic modalities including a variety of genetic tests (discussed elsewhere in this journal), the ability to diagnose a patient with a primary immunodeficiency disorder (PIDD) has become a more streamlined process. With increased availability of genetic testing for those with suspected or known PIDD, there has been a significant increase in the number of genes associated with this group of disorders. This is of great importance as a misdiagnosis of these rare diseases can lead to a delay in what can be critical treatment options. At times, those options can include life-saving medications or procedures. Presentation of patients with PIDD can vary greatly based on the specific genetic defect and the part(s) of the immune system that is affected by the variation. PIDD disorders lead to varying levels of increased risk of infection ranging from a mild increase such as with selective IgA deficiency to a profound risk with severe combined immunodeficiency. These diseases can also cause a variety of other clinical findings including autoimmunity and gastrointestinal disease.
Topics: Autoimmunity; Genetic Testing; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
PubMed: 35020168
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08881-2