scholarly journals Molecular mimicry between the immunodominant ribosomal protein P0 of Trypanosoma cruzi and a functional epitope on the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor.

1995 ◽  
Vol 182 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Ferrari ◽  
M J Levin ◽  
G Wallukat ◽  
R Elies ◽  
D Lebesgue ◽  
...  

Sera from chagasic patients possess antibodies recognizing the carboxy-terminal part of the ribosomal P0 protein of Trypanosoma cruzi and the second extracellular loop of the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor. Comparison of both peptides showed that they contain a pentapeptide with very high homology (AESEE in P0 and AESDE in the human beta 1-adrenergic receptor). Using a competitive immunoenzyme assay, recognition of the peptide corresponding to the second extracellular loop (H26R) was inhibited by both P0-14i (AAAESEEEDDDDDF) and P0-beta (AESEE). Concomitantly, recognition of P0-beta was inhibited with the H26R peptide. Recognition of P0 in Western blots was inhibited by P0-14i, P0-beta, and H26R, but not by a peptide corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor or by an unrelated peptide. Autoantibodies affinity purified with the immobilized H26R peptide were shown to exert a positive chronotropic effect in vitro on cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats. This effect was blocked by both the specific beta 1 blocker bisoprolol and the peptide P0-beta. These results unambiguously prove that T. cruzi is able to induce a functional autoimmune response against the cardiovascular human beta 1-adrenergic receptor through a molecular mimicry mechanism.

1990 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
D.W. Laird ◽  
J.P. Revel

A 43 × 10(3) Mr protein (designated connexin43 or Cx43) is a major constituent of heart gap junctions. The understanding of its arrangement in junctional membranes has been extended by means of site-directed antibodies raised against synthetic peptides of Cx43. These represent part of the first extracellular loop (EL-46), the cytoplasmic loop (CL-100), the second extracellular loop (EL-186) and carboxy-terminal sequences (CT-237 and CT-360). All of the antibodies raised reacted with their respective peptides and the Cx43 protein on Western blots. By immunoelectron microscopy two of the antibodies (CL-100 and CT-360) were shown to label the cytoplasmic surface of isolated gap junction membranes. Immunofluorescent labeling at locations of neonatal cardiac myocyte-myocyte apposition required an alkali/urea treatment when the EL-46 and EL-186 antibodies were used. Immunoblot analysis of endoproteinase Lys-C-digested gap junctions revealed that the Cx43 protein passed through the lipid bilayer four times. Alkaline phosphatase digestion of isolated junctions was used to show that the CT-360 antibody recognized many phosphorylated forms of Cx43. Our results unequivocally confirm models of the organization of Cx43 that were based on a more limited set of data and a priori considerations of the sequence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Wallukat ◽  
Burkhard Jandrig ◽  
Niels-Peter Becker ◽  
Johann J. Wendler ◽  
Peter Göttel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background For prostate cancer, signaling pathways induced by over-boarding stimulation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) such as the endothelin, α1- and β-adrenergic, muscarinic and angiotensin 1 receptors were accused to support the carcinogenesis. However, excessive receptor stimulation by physiological receptor ligands is minimized by a control system that induces receptor sensitization and down-regulation. This system is missing when so-called “functional autoantibodies” bind to the GPCR (GPCR-AAB). If GPCR-AAB were found in patients with prostate cancer, uncontrolled GPCR stimulation could make these autoantibodies an additional supporter in prostate cancer. Methods Using the bioassay of spontaneously beating cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, GPCR-AAB were identified, quantified and characterized in the serum of 25 patients (aged 56–78 years, median 70 years) with prostate cancer compared to 10 male patients (aged 48–82 years, median 64) with urinary stone disorders (controls). Results Of the cancer patients, 24 (96%) and 17 (68%), respectively, carried autoantibodies directed against the α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AAB) and endothelin receptor A (ETA-AAB). No patient was negative for both GPCR-AAB. In contrast, ETA-AAB and α1-AAB were absent in all (100%) and 9 (90%) of the 10 control patients, respectively. While α1-AAB targeted a specific epitope of the first extracellular loop of the α1-adrenergic receptor subtype A, an epitope of the second extracellular loop of the ETA receptor was identified as a target of ETA-AAB. As demonstrated in vitro, the functional activity of both autoantibodies found in prostate cancer can be neutralized by the aptamer BC007. Conclusions We hypothesized that α1-AAB and ETA-AAB, which are highly present in prostate cancer patients, could by their functional activity support carcinogenesis by excessive receptor stimulation. The in vitro demonstrated neutralization of α1- and ETA-AAB by the aptamer BC007 could open the door to complement the treatments already available for prostate cancer.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Wallukat ◽  
Burkhard Jandrig ◽  
Niels-Peter Becker ◽  
Johann J. Wendler ◽  
Peter Göttel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: For prostate cancer, signaling pathways induced by over-boarding stimulation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) such as the endothelin, α1- and β-adrenergic, muscarinic and angiotensin 1 receptors were accused to support the carcinogenesis. However, excessive receptor stimulation by physiological receptor ligands is minimized by a control system that induces receptor sensitization and down-regulation. This system is missing when so-called "functional autoantibodies" bind to the GPCR (GPCR-AAB). If GPCR-AAB were found in patients with prostate cancer, uncontrolled GPCR stimulation could make these autoantibodies an additional supporter in prostate cancer. Methods: Using the bioassay of spontaneously beating cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, GPCR-AAB were identified, quantified and characterized in the serum of 25 patients (aged 56-78 years, median 70 years) with prostate cancer compared to 10 male patients (aged 48-82 years, median 64) with urinary stone disorders (controls). Results: Of the cancer patients, 24 (96%) and 17 (68%), respectively, carried autoantibodies directed against the α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AAB) and endothelin receptor A (ETA-AAB). No patient was negative for both GPCR-AAB. In contrast, ETA-AAB and α1-AAB were absent in all (100%) and 9 (90%) of the 10 control patients, respectively. While α1-AAB targeted a specific epitope of the first extracellular loop of the α1-adrenergic receptor subtype A, an epitope of the second extracellular loop of the ETA receptor was identified as a target of ETA-AAB. As demonstrated in vitro, the functional activity of both autoantibodies found in prostate cancer can be neutralized by the aptamer BC007.Conclusions: We hypothesized that α1-AAB and ETA-AAB, which are highly present in prostate cancer patients, could by their functional activity support carcinogenesis by excessive receptor stimulation. The in vitro demonstrated neutralization of α1- and ETA-AAB by the aptamer BC007 could open the door to complement the treatments already available for prostate cancer.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Wallukat ◽  
Burkhand Jandrig ◽  
Niels-Peter Becker ◽  
Johann J. Wendler ◽  
Peter Göttel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: For prostate cancer, signaling pathways induced by over-boarding stimulation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) such as the endothelin, α1- and β-adrenergic, muscarinic and angiotensin 1 receptors were accused to support the carcinogenesis. However, excessive receptor stimulation by physiological receptor ligands is minimized by a control system that induces receptor sensitization and down-regulation. This system is missing when so-called "functional autoantibodies" bind to the GPCR (GPCR-AAB). If GPCR-AAB were found in patients with prostate cancer, uncontrolled GPCR stimulation could make these autoantibodies an additional supporter in prostate cancer. Methods: Using the bioassay of spontaneously beating cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, GPCR-AAB were identified, quantified and characterized in the serum of 25 patients (aged 56-78 years, median 70 years) with prostate cancer compared to 10 male patients (aged 48-82 years, median 64) with urinary stone disorders (controls). Results: Of the cancer patients, 24 (96%) and 17 (68%), respectively, carried autoantibodies directed against the α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AAB) and endothelin receptor A (ETA-AAB). No patient was negative for both GPCR-AAB. In contrast, ETA-AAB and α1-AAB were absent in all (100%) and 9 (90%) of the 10 control patients, respectively. While α1-AAB targeted a specific epitope of the first extracellular loop of the α1-adrenergic receptor subtype A, an epitope of the second extracellular loop of the ETA receptor was identified as a target of ETA-AAB. As demonstrated in vitro, the functional activity of both autoantibodies found in prostate cancer can be neutralized by the aptamer BC007. Conclusions: We hypothesized that α1-AAB and ETA-AAB, which are highly present in prostate cancer patients, could by their functional activity support carcinogenesis by excessive receptor stimulation. The in vitro demonstrated neutralization of α1- and ETA-AAB by the aptamer BC007 could open the door to complement the treatments already available for prostate cancer.


1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
B A Peculis ◽  
J G Gall

To examine the role of primary amino acid sequence in the localization of proteins within the nucleus, we studied the nucleolar protein NO38 of amphibian oocytes. We synthesized NO38 transcripts in vitro, injected them into the oocyte cytoplasm, and followed the distribution of the translation products. The injected RNA contained a short sequence encoding an epitope derived from the human c-myc protein. We used an mAb against this epitope to detect translation products from injected RNAs by Western blots and by immunofluoresent staining of cytological preparations. When full-length transcripts of NO38 were injected into oocytes, the translation products accumulated efficiently in the germinal vesicle, and a major fraction was localized in the multiple nucleoli. To identify protein domains involved in this nucleolus-specific accumulation, we prepared a series of carboxy-terminal deletions of the cDNA. Oocytes injected with RNA encoding truncated forms of NO38 were examined for altered patterns of protein accumulation. We defined a domain of about 24 amino acids near the carboxy terminus that was essential for nucleolar localization of NO38. This domain is separated by more than 70 amino acids from two putative nuclear localization signals near the middle of the molecule. Hybrid constructs were made which encoded part of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase or pyruvate kinase fused to a long segment of NO38 containing the essential domain. Injection of RNA from these constructs showed that the essential domain was not sufficient to target the hybrid proteins to the nucleolus. We suggest that nucleolar accumulation of NO38 requires more than a single linear domain.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 5114-5119 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sepulveda ◽  
P. Liegeard ◽  
G. Wallukat ◽  
M. J. Levin ◽  
M. Hontebeyrie

ABSTRACT Antibodies against the Trypanosoma cruzi ribosomal P2β protein (TcP2β) have been associated with the chronic cardiac pathology of Chagas' disease in humans. Using synthetic peptides spanning the entire TcP2β molecule, we investigated their epitope recognition by antibodies from mice chronically infected with T. cruzi and from mice immunized with two recombinant TcP2βs. We found clear differences in epitope recognition between antibodies from T. cruzi-infected mice and mice immunized with two different recombinant TcP2βs associated with different schedules of immunization. Major epitopes recognized by antibodies from mice immunized with recombinant glutathioneS-transferase (GST) or histidine (Hist) fusion TcP2β (GST-TcP2β or Hist-TcP2β) are located in the central and hinge regions of the molecule. Nevertheless, mice immunized with Hist-TcP2β were also able to elicit antibodies against the TcP2β C terminus, a region which is highly conserved in both T. cruzi and mammal ribosomal P proteins. Strikingly, antibodies from infected animals recognized only the TcP2β C terminus. By using these antisera with distinct profiles of epitope recognition, it could be shown that only C terminus-specific antibodies were able to increase the beating frequency of cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats in vitro by selective stimulation of the β1-adrenergic receptor. Thus, antibodies against the TcP2β C terminus elicited in the absence of infection are able to modulate a functional activity of host cells through a molecular mimicry mechanism.


Parasitology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. TEKIEL ◽  
G. A. MIRKIN ◽  
S. M. GONZALEZ CAPPA

We have previously reported that the mechanisms of neuromyopathic damage induced by Trypanosoma cruzi are mediated by T cells and are parasite-strain dependent. In the present study our aim was to determine whether the humoral response against muscle and nervous system is also parasite-strain dependent. Of the sera from mice infected with RA and CA-I T. cruzi strains, 93% reacted against antigens of the nervous system (sciatic nerve, spinal cord and brain). No differences in the ability to recognize heart antigens were found between RA (48%) and CA-I (63%) antisera. Reactivity against skeletal muscle was only relevant in anti-CA-I sera at 270 days post-infection. Each of the antisera assayed in Western blots developed a particular antigenic pattern, but 3 antigens in the nervous system of molecular weight 48, 60 and 70 kDa were detected by 42, 28 and 23% of the sera, respectively. On the other hand, deposits of IgG were observed at the interstitial matrix in sciatic nerve and as endomisial and sarcolemmal patterns in skeletal muscle by IFAT for both RA and CA-I antisera. Absorption of sera with parasite antigens did not abolish the autoreactivity. Our results suggest that major serum autoreactivity from T. cruzi-infected mice is not parasite-strain dependent and does not arise from molecular mimicry.


Planta Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Quitino-da-Rocha ◽  
E Ferreira-Queiroz ◽  
C Santana-Meira ◽  
DR Magalhães-Moreira ◽  
M Botelho-Pereira-Soares ◽  
...  
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