scholarly journals Neuroantibody Biomarkers: Links and Challenges in Environmental Neurodegeneration and Autoimmunity

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan A. N. El-Fawal

The majority of neurodegenerative (ND) and autoimmune diseases (AID) remain idiopathic. The contribution of environmental chemicals to the development of these disorders has become of great interest in recent years. A convergence of mechanism between of ND and AID development has also emerged. In the case of ND, including neurotoxicity, the focus of this review, work over the last two decade in the realm of biomarker development, indicates that the immune response provides a venue whereby humoral immunity, in the form of autoantibodies to nervous system specific proteins, or neuroantibodies (NAb), may provide, once validated, a sensitive high throughput surrogate biomarker of effect with the potential of predicting outcome in absence of overt neurotoxicity/neurodegeneration. In addition, NAb may prove to be a contributor to the progression of the nervous system pathology, as well as biomarker of stage and therapeutic efficacy. There is a compelling need for biomarkers of effect in light of the introduction of new chemicals, such as nanoengineered material, where potential neurotoxicity remains to be defined. Furthermore, the convergence of mechanisms associated with ND and AID draws attention to the neglected arena of angiogenesis in defining the link between environment, ND, and AID.

2006 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Pedemonte ◽  
Gianluigi Mancardi ◽  
Debora Giunti ◽  
Anna Corcione ◽  
Federica Benvenuto ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (26) ◽  
pp. 3096-3104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Mauro ◽  
Gaetano Barbagallo ◽  
Salvatore D`Angelo ◽  
Pasqualina Sannino ◽  
Saverio Naty ◽  
...  

In the last years, an increasing interest in molecular imaging has been raised by the extending potential of positron emission tomography [PET]. The role of PET imaging, originally confined to the oncology setting, is continuously extending thanks to the development of novel radiopharmaceutical and to the implementation of hybrid imaging techniques, where PET scans are combined with computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] in order to improve spatial resolution. Early preclinical studies suggested that 18F–FDG PET can detect neuroinflammation; new developing radiopharmaceuticals targeting more specifically inflammation-related molecules are moving in this direction. Neurological involvement is a distinct feature of various systemic autoimmune diseases, i.e. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] or Behcet’s disease [BD]. Although MRI is largely considered the gold-standard imaging technique for the detection of Central Nervous System [CNS] involvement in these disorders. Several patients complain of neuropsychiatric symptoms [headache, epilepsy, anxiety or depression] in the absence of any significant MRI finding; in such patients the diagnosis relies mainly on clinical examination and often the role of the disease process versus iatrogenic or reactive forms is doubtful. The aim of this review is to explore the state-of-the-art for the role of PET imaging in CNS involvement in systemic rheumatic diseases. In addition, we explore the potential role of emerging radiopharmaceutical and their possible application in aiding the diagnosis of CNS involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases.


Heliyon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. e07314
Author(s):  
Rose-Marie Catalioto ◽  
Claudio Valenti ◽  
Francesca Bellucci ◽  
Cecilia Cialdai ◽  
Maria Altamura ◽  
...  

Reports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Juan Luis Fernández-Morera ◽  
Alfredo Renilla González ◽  
Carmen Elena Calvo Rodríguez ◽  
Judit Romano-García

Background: CTLA-4 and PD-1L are novel immune checkpoint targets for cancer treatment with specific side effects such as autoimmune diseases. Less frequently, the presence of several autoimmune diseases in the same patient has been described. In this communication, we illustrate the case of a 45-year-old patient with a previous diagnosis of advanced cancer that, after starting treatment with this immunotherapy, developed in the following months autoimmune diabetes, lymphocytic hypophysitis, and a Hashimoto thyroiditis in an abrupt and intense manner that would correspond to an autoimmune polyglandular disease. Discussion: The activation of autoimmunity and associated diseases is increasing in parallel with augmented indication of these immunotherapeutic treatments in cancer patients. A closer follow-up of these patients could be necessary for an optimal approach to this type of pathology. Conclusions: Different autoimmune diseases can converge in the same patient when immunotherapy for cancer is indicated to boost immune response against tumor, caused by altering immune tolerance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7538
Author(s):  
Hitomi Sugino ◽  
Yu Sawada ◽  
Motonobu Nakamura

IgA, previously called Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis, is an essential immune component that drives the host immune response to the external environment. As IgA has the unique characteristic of a flexible response to broad types of microorganisms, it sometimes causes an autoreactive response in the host human body. IgA vasculitis and related organ dysfunction are representative IgA-mediated autoimmune diseases; bacterial and viral infections often trigger IgA vasculitis. Recent drug developments and the presence of COVID-19 have revealed that these agents can also trigger IgA vasculitis. These findings provide a novel understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis. In this review, we focus on the characteristics of IgA and symptoms of IgA vasculitis and other organ dysfunction. We also mention the therapeutic approach, biomarkers, novel triggers for IgA vasculitis, and epigenetic modifications in patients with IgA vasculitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
You Zhai ◽  
Guanzhang Li ◽  
Tao Jiang

Abstract Background Glioma is the most common and fatal type of nerve neoplasm in the central nervous system. Several biomarkers have been considered for prognosis prediction, which is not accurate enough. We aimed to carry out a gene signature related to the expression of immune checkpoints which was enough for its performance in prediction. Methods Gene expression of immune checkpoints in TGGA database was filtrated. The 5 selected genes underwent verification by COX and Lasso-COX regression. Next, the selected genes were included to build a novel signature for further analysis. Results Patients were sub-grouped into high and low risk according to the novel signature. Immune response, clinicopathologic characters, and survival showed significant differences between those 2 groups. Terms including “naive,” “effector,” and “IL-4” were screened out by GSEA. The results showed strong relevance between the signature and immune response. Conclusions We constructed a gene signature with 5 immune checkpoints. The signature predicted survival effectively. The novel signature performed more functional than previous biomarkers.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2116
Author(s):  
Andrei V. Tarasov ◽  
Rofail S. Rakhmanov ◽  
Elena S. Bogomolova ◽  
Ludmila A. Perminova ◽  
Zhanna L. Malakhova

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3–10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6–19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1743-1752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Gastaldi ◽  
Enrico Marchioni ◽  
Paola Banfi ◽  
Valeria Mariani ◽  
Laura Di Lodovico ◽  
...  

Background: Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory disorder that can be idiopathic or associated with central nervous system autoimmune/dysimmune inflammatory diseases, connective tissue autoimmune diseases, or post-infectious neurological syndromes. Prognosis of initial TM presentations is uncertain. Objective: To identify outcome predictors in TM. Methods: Retrospective study on isolated TM at onset. Scores ⩾3 on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) marked high disability. Results: A total of 159 patients were identified. TM was classified as follows: idiopathic (I-TM, n = 53), post-infectious (PI-TM, n = 48), associated with multiple sclerosis (MS-TM, n = 51), or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders/connective tissue autoimmune diseases/neurosarcoidosis ( n = 7). At follow-up (median, 55 months; interquartile range, 32–80), 42 patients were severely disabled, and patients with I-TM or PI-TM showed the worst outcomes. Predictors of disability were infectious antecedents, sphincter and pyramidal symptoms, high mRS scores, blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier damage, lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions on univariate analysis, and older age (odds ratio (OR), 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0–1.1), overt/subclinical involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) (OR, 9.4; 95% CI, 2.2–41.0), complete TM (OR, 10.8; 95% CI, 3.4–34.5) on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Our findings help define prognosis and therapies in TM at onset. Infectious antecedents and PNS involvement associate with severe prognosis. Nerve conduction studies and lumbar MRI could improve the prognostic assessment of this condition.


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