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Experimental Dermatology Jul 2024The 16th non-collagenous domain (NC16A) of BP180 is the main antigenic target of autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP)....
The 16th non-collagenous domain (NC16A) of BP180 is the main antigenic target of autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Commercially available assays detect serum autoantibodies against NC16A in the majority of BP (80%-90%) and in approximately 50% of MMP patients. However, a standardized test system for detecting antibodies against other regions of BP180 is still lacking. Moreover, anti-BP180 autoantibodies have been found in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease. This study aimed at identifying primary epitopes recognized by BP autoantibodies on the BP180 ectodomain. Serum samples of 51 BP and 30 MMP patients both without anti-NC16A reactivity were included along with 44 multiple sclerosis and 75 Parkinson disease sera. Four overlapping His-tagged proteins covering the entire BP180 ectodomain (BP180(ec)1-4) were cloned, expressed, purified and tested for reactivity by immunoblot. IgG antibodies to BP180(ec)3 were detected in 98% of BP, 77% of MMP and 2% of normal human sera. Only weak reactivity was detected for neurological diseases against BP180(ec)1, BP180(ec)2 and BP180(ec)4, in 3%, 11% and 7% of tested multiple sclerosis sera, respectively. 8% of Parkinson disease sera reacted with BP180(ec)2 and 9% with BP180(ec)4. In conclusion, this study successfully identified epitopes recognized by BP autoantibodies outside the NC16A domain in pemphigoid diseases. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immune response in BP and MMP with potential implications for a future diagnostic assay for NC16A-negative pemphigoid patients.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Collagen Type XVII; Non-Fibrillar Collagens; Pemphigoid, Bullous; Autoantigens; Multiple Sclerosis; Autoantibodies; Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane; Immunoglobulin G; Epitopes; Protein Domains; Female; Male; Aged
PubMed: 38946225
DOI: 10.1111/exd.15125 -
Neuroimaging Clinics of North America Aug 2024The diagnostic workup of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved considerably. The 2017 revision of the McDonald criteria shows high sensitivity and accuracy in predicting... (Review)
Review
The diagnostic workup of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved considerably. The 2017 revision of the McDonald criteria shows high sensitivity and accuracy in predicting clinically definite MS in patients with a typical clinically isolated syndrome and allows an earlier MS diagnosis. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G-associated disease (MOGAD) are recognized as separate conditions from MS, with specific diagnostic criteria. New MR imaging markers may improve diagnostic specificity for these conditions, thus reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. This study summarizes the most recent updates regarding the application of MR imaging for the diagnosis of MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD.
Topics: Humans; Neuromyelitis Optica; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Immunoglobulin G; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 38942518
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2024.03.001 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Interstitial lung disease is a common complication of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS), and lymphocytic infiltration is often observed in the lesion. We have recently...
Interstitial lung disease is a common complication of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS), and lymphocytic infiltration is often observed in the lesion. We have recently reported that disease-specific autoantibodies are produced by infiltrating lymphocytes in some autoimmune diseases. Here, we investigate the antigen specificity of B cells in the lung lesions of ASS patients. A total of 177 antibodies were produced from antibody-secreting cells in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) of three each of serum anti-Jo-1 and serum anti-EJ antibody-positive patients. Twelve to 30% and 50 to 62% of these antibodies were disease-specific autoantibodies, respectively. These autoantibodies recognized conformational epitopes of the whole self-antigen and had affinity maturations, indicating that self-antigens themselves are the target of humoral immunity. In addition, 100 antibodies were produced from two salivary gland tissues, obtained by chance, of ASS patients. Salivary glands are not generally recognized as lesions of ASS, but unexpectedly, ASS-related autoantibody production was also observed similar to that of BALF. Immunostaining confirmed the presence of ASS-related autoantibody-producing cells in salivary glands. Our results suggest that disease-specific autoantibody production at lesion sites is a common pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, and that tissue-specific production of autoantibodies can provide insights regarding the distribution of organ manifestations in autoimmune diseases.
Topics: Humans; Salivary Glands; Autoantibodies; Myositis; Female; Male; Lung; Middle Aged; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Adult; B-Lymphocytes; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Autoantigens; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Aged
PubMed: 38938569
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1265792 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Autoantigen-specific immunotherapy using peptides offers a more targeted approach to treat autoimmune diseases, but clinical implementation has been challenging. We...
Autoantigen-specific immunotherapy using peptides offers a more targeted approach to treat autoimmune diseases, but clinical implementation has been challenging. We previously showed that multivalent delivery of peptides as soluble antigen arrays (SAgAs) efficiently protects against spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. Here, we compared the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of SAgAs versus free peptides. SAgAs, but not their corresponding free peptides at equivalent doses, efficiently prevented the development of diabetes. SAgAs increased the frequency of regulatory T cells among peptide-specific T cells or induce their anergy/exhaustion or deletion, depending on the type of SAgA used (hydrolysable (hSAgA) and non-hydrolysable 'click' SAgA (cSAgA)) and duration of treatment, whereas their corresponding free peptides induced a more effector phenotype following delayed clonal expansion. Over time, the peptides induced an IgE-independent anaphylactic reaction, the incidence of which was significantly delayed when peptides were in SAgA form rather than in free form. Moreover, the N-terminal modification of peptides with aminooxy or alkyne linkers, which was needed for grafting onto hyaluronic acid to make hSAgA or cSAgA variants, respectively, influenced their stimulatory potency and safety, with alkyne-functionalized peptides being more potent and less anaphylactogenic than aminooxy-functionalized peptides. Immunologic anaphylaxis occurred in NOD mice in a dose-dependent manner but not in C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice; however, its incidence did not correlate with the level of anti-peptide antibodies. We provide evidence that SAgAs significantly improve the efficacy of peptides to induce tolerance and prevent autoimmune diabetes while at the same time reducing their anaphylactogenic potential.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred NOD; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Immune Tolerance; Peptides; Female; Autoantigens; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Immunotherapy; Anaphylaxis; Desensitization, Immunologic
PubMed: 38933266
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1258369 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Jun 2024Primary demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) include multiple sclerosis and the orphan conditions neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)...
Development Perspectives for Curative Technologies in Primary Demyelinating Disorders of the Central Nervous System with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) at the Forefront.
Primary demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) include multiple sclerosis and the orphan conditions neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG-associated disease (MOGAD). Curative technologies under development aim to selectively block autoimmune reactions against specific autoantigens while preserving the responsiveness of the immune system to other antigens. Our analysis focused on target patient selection for such developments, carefully considering the relevant clinical, regulatory, and market-related aspects. We found that the selection of patients with orphan conditions as target populations offers several advantages. Treatments for orphan conditions are associated with limited production capacity, qualify for regulatory incentives, and may require significantly shorter and lower-scale clinical programs. Furthermore, they may meet a higher acceptable cost-effectiveness threshold in order to compensate for the low numbers of patients to be treated. Finally, curative technologies targeting orphan indications could enter less competitive markets with lower risk of generic price erosion and would benefit from additional market protection measures available only for orphan products. These advantages position orphan conditions and subgroups as the most attractive target indications among primary demyelinating disorders of the CNS. The authors believe that after successful proof-of-principle demonstrations in orphan conditions, broader autoimmune patient populations may also benefit from the success of these pioneering developments.
PubMed: 38929820
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060599 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Traditional cardiovascular... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although present in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, do not explain such a high burden of early cardiovascular disease in the context of these systemic connective tissue diseases. Over the past few years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has changed from it being a lipid-centric to an inflammation-centric process. In this review, we examine the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, the two most common systemic connective tissue diseases, and consider them as emblematic models of the effect of chronic inflammation on the human body. We explore the roles of the inflammasome, cells of the innate and acquired immune system, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, chemokines and soluble pro-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and the roles of certain autoantigens and autoantibodies, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein and beta2-glycoprotein, which may play a pathogenetic role in atherosclerosis progression.
PubMed: 38929699
DOI: 10.3390/life14060716 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset at an advanced age is associated with a higher risk of developing progressive forms and a greater accumulation of disability for which...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset at an advanced age is associated with a higher risk of developing progressive forms and a greater accumulation of disability for which there are currently no effective disease-modifying treatments. Immunosenescence is associated with the production of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), with IL-6 being one of the most prominent cytokines. IL-6 is a determinant for the development of autoimmunity and neuroinflammation and is involved in the pathogenesis of MS. Herein, we aimed to preclinically test the therapeutic inhibition of IL-6 signaling in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a potential age-specific treatment for elderly MS patients. Young and aged mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG) and examined daily for neurological signs. Mice were randomized and treated with anti-IL-6 antibody. Inflammatory infiltration was evaluated in the spinal cord and the peripheral immune response was studied. The blockade of IL-6 signaling did not improve the clinical course of EAE in an aging context. However, IL-6 inhibition was associated with an increase in the peripheral immunosuppressive response as follows: a higher frequency of CD4 T cells producing IL-10, and increased frequency of inhibitory immune check points PD-1 and Tim-3 on CD4 T cells and Lag-3 and Tim-3 on CD8 T cells. Our results open the window to further studies aimed to adjust the anti-IL-6 treatment conditions to tailor an effective age-specific therapy for elderly MS patients.
Topics: Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Animals; Mice; Interleukin-6; Female; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Multiple Sclerosis; Aging; Interleukin-10; Spinal Cord; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38928437
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126732 -
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi Jun 2024This study was aimed to provide ideas for identifying the antibodies to high-frequency antigens by analyzing a female case of high-frequency antigen antibody (anti-Ku)...
OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to provide ideas for identifying the antibodies to high-frequency antigens by analyzing a female case of high-frequency antigen antibody (anti-Ku) using serological and sequencing method.
METHODS
The methods for identification of blood group, erythrocyte antigen, screening and identification of antibody were used to detect the blood type and antibody in the proband. The proband's serum and reagent screening cells treated with Sulfhydryl reagent were applied to judge the type and characteristics of this antibodies when reacted with the regaent screening cells or proband's serum respectively. Gene sequencing was used to determine the genotype of the proband's blood group.
RESULTS
The proband's red blood cells were determined as O type RhD positive, whose serum showed strong positive reaction to antibody-screening cells and antibody identification cells with the same intensity in saline and IAT medium, however, the self-cells showed negative effect. The Direct Antihuman Globulin of proband's red blood cells also showed weak positive reaction, and the other blood types were CcEe, Jk(a+b-), P1-, Le(a-b -), Lu (a-b +), K-, k-, Kp(a-b-). Serum of the proband treated with 2-ME still react with three groups of screening cells in IAT medium. The reaction intensity of proband's serum was also unchanged with the cells modified with papain and bromelain, but showed negative effect when the cells were treated with sulfhydryl agents including DTT and 2-ME. Gene sequencing revealed that the genotype of the patient was . This patient had a rare K0 phenotype.
CONCLUSION
The rare Kell-null blood group (also known as K0) were identified by serological and molecular tests in the proband who produced both IgG and IgM type of antibody to high-frequency antigen (anti-Ku). These two methods are of great significance in the identification of this rare blood group as well as the antibody to high frequency antigen.
Topics: Humans; Female; Erythrocytes; Blood Group Antigens; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; Genotype; Ku Autoantigen; Antibodies
PubMed: 38926983
DOI: 10.19746/j.cnki.issn.1009-2137.2024.03.035 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024B cells and T cells collaborate in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. IgH mice possess a B cell repertoire skewed to recognize myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein...
B cells and T cells collaborate in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. IgH mice possess a B cell repertoire skewed to recognize myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Here, we show that upon immunization with the T cell-obligate autoantigen, MOG, IgH mice develop rapid and exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) relative to wildtype (WT) counterparts, characterized by aggregation of T and B cells in the IgH meninges and by CD4 T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the CNS. Production of the Th17 maintenance factor IL-23 is observed from IgH CNS-infiltrating and meningeal B cells, and in vivo blockade of IL-23p19 attenuates disease severity in IgH mice. In the CNS parenchyma and dura mater of IgH mice, we observe an increased frequency of CD4PD-1CXCR5 T cells that share numerous characteristics with the recently described T peripheral helper (Tph) cell subset. Further, CNS-infiltrating B and Tph cells from IgH mice show increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Meningeal inflammation, Tph-like cell accumulation in the CNS and B/Tph cell production of ROS were all reduced upon p19 blockade. Altogether, MOG-specific B cells promote autoimmune inflammation of the CNS parenchyma and meninges in an IL-23-dependent manner.
Topics: Animals; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; B-Lymphocytes; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Mice; Autoimmunity; Interleukin-23; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Th17 Cells; Central Nervous System; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Female; Myelin Sheath; Meninges; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 38926356
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49259-0 -
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology &... Sep 2024Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a distinct CNS demyelinating disease. The rate of asymptomatic optic nerve enhancement on MRI...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a distinct CNS demyelinating disease. The rate of asymptomatic optic nerve enhancement on MRI has not been explored in patients with MOGAD. An improved understanding of this would guide clinical practice and assessment of treatment efficacy. We aimed to determine the frequency of asymptomatic optic nerve enhancement in MOGAD.
METHODS
This was a retrospective review of patients evaluated at Mayo Clinic with MOGAD between January 1, 2000, and August 1, 2021 (median follow-up 1.6 [range 1-19] years). MRI studies were reviewed by masked neuroradiologists. Scans performed within 30 days of ON attack were classified as attack scans. Images obtained for routine surveillance, before ON attack, or at the time of non-ON attack were classified as interattack scans.
RESULTS
Five hundred sixty-six MRIs (203 unique patients, 53% female) were included. Interattack MRIs represented 341 (60%) of the scans (median 36 days post-ON [range -1,032 to 6,001]). Of the interattack scans, 43 of 341 (13%), 30 unique patients, showed optic nerve enhancement. The enhancement was located at prior sites of ON in 35 of 43 (81%). Among the 8 patients with enhancement in new optic nerve areas, 6 had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis without an eye examination at the time of the MRI and 2 had preceding ON without imaging. Long-term visual outcomes showed no significant difference between those with and without asymptomatic enhancement, with improved visual acuity in most patients.
DISCUSSION
Asymptomatic optic nerve enhancement occurred in 13% of interattack MRIs, the majority in patients with prior ON and occurring at prior sites of optic nerve enhancement. New asymptomatic optic nerve enhancement in areas without prior ON was rare. These findings are important for understanding the natural history of MOGAD, the interpretation of symptoms or response to treatment, and the adjudication of attacks in clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Retrospective Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Optic Nerve; Adolescent; Aged; Child; Autoantibodies; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Child, Preschool; Asymptomatic Diseases; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38924706
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200277