Analysis of DFS70 pattern and impact on ANA screening using a novel HEp-2 ELITE/DFS70 knockout substrate
AbstractIndirect immunofluorescence (IIF) using human epithelial cell (HEp-2) substrate is a widely used and the recommended method for screening of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Dense fine speckled (DFS70) pattern on HEp-2 has been widely reported in various healthy and disease groups. Interpretation of DFS70 pattern can be challenging on a conventional HEp-2 substrate due to its similarity to some of the disease associated patterns. The high prevalence of DFS70 autoantibodies in normal population, lack of association with a particular disease group and a general negative association with systemic and ANA associated autoi...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - March 17, 2017 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Structure and activation of the TSH receptor transmembrane domain
ConclusionsInsight into the mechanism of activation of the TSHR by both TSH and TSHR autoantibodies is likely to be useful in the development of new treatments for Graves ’ disease. (Source: Autoimmunity Highlights)
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - December 5, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Detection of autoantibodies to DSF70/LEDGFp75 in Mexican Hispanics using multiple complementary assay platforms
ConclusionsThe low frequency of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibodies in Mexican patients with rheumatic diseases, but relatively higher frequency in HI, is consistent with previous observations with non-Hispanic populations, suggesting that geographic differences or ethnicity do not influence the frequency of these autoantibodies. Our results also highlight the importance of confirmatory assays for the accurate detection of these autoantibodies. Future studies with larger cohorts of healthy Hispanics/Latinos are needed to confirm if their anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibody frequencies are significantly higher than in non-Hispanics. (S...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - November 24, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Development and evaluation of a standardized ELISA for the determination of autoantibodies against cN-1A (Mup44, NT5C1A) in sporadic inclusion body myositis
ConclusionsAnti-cN-1A autoantibodies were detected by ELISA with moderate sensitivity, but high specificity for sIBM and may therefore help diagnose this infrequent and difficult-to-diagnose myopathy. The novel anti-cN-1A IgG ELISA can improve and accelerate the diagnosis of sIBM using sera where muscle biopsy is delayed or unfeasible. (Source: Autoimmunity Highlights)
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - November 16, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Anti-rods/rings autoantibody seropositivity does not affect response to telaprevir treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection
ConclusionsOverall, the data suggest that anti-RR seropositivity is not associated with resistance to TPV treatment in this patient cohort, but monitoring anti-RR-positive patients for relapse within the first 6 months after treatment may be useful. (Source: Autoimmunity Highlights)
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - November 13, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Intraepithelial lymphocytes subsets in different forms of celiac disease
ConclusionThe evaluation of IELs subsets by FCM is useful to confirm diagnosis of active and silent CD. (Source: Autoimmunity Highlights)
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - September 22, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Infections as a cause of autoimmune rheumatic diseases
AbstractExogenous and endogenous environmental exposures and particularly infections may participate in the breakage of tolerance and the induction of autoimmunity in rheumatic diseases. Response to infections apparently occurs years before clinical manifestations and features of autoimmunity, such as autoantibodies, are detected years before clinical manifestations in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for a potential causal link between infectious agents and rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren ’s syndrome and ANCA-associated vascu...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - September 13, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Deciphering the role of DNA methylation in multiple sclerosis: emerging issues
AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that involves several not yet fully elucidated pathophysiologic mechanisms. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic modifications at level of DNA bases, histones, and micro-RNAs may confer risk for MS. DNA methylation seems to have a prominent role in the epigenetics of MS, as aberrant methylation in the promoter regions across genome may underlie several processes involved in the initiation and development of MS. In the present review, we discuss current understanding regarding the role of DNA met...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - September 6, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Reactive oxygen species in organ-specific autoimmunity
AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) have been extensively studied in the induction of inflammation and tissue damage, especially as it relates to aging. In more recent years, ROS have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Here, ROS accumulation leads to apoptosis and autoantigen structural changes that result in novel specificities. ROS have been implicated not only in the initiation of the autoimmune response but also in its amplification and spreading to novel epitopes, through the unmasking of cryptic determinants. This review will examine the contribution of ROS to the pathogenesis of four organ...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - August 3, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Measurement of anti-DFS70 antibodies in patients with ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic diseases suspicion is cost-effective
In conclusion, the use of anti-DFS70 antibodies was clearly cost-efficient in our setting. < /p > (Source: Autoimmunity Highlights)
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - July 28, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
The ANA-reflex test as a model for improving clinical appropriateness in autoimmune diagnostics
Abstract
Reflex tests are widely used in clinical laboratories, for example, to diagnose thyroid disorders or in the follow-up of prostate cancer. Reflex tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) have recently gained attention as a way to improve appropriateness in the immunological diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases and avoid waste of resources. However, the ANA-reflex test is not as simple as other consolidated reflex tests (the TSH-reflex tests or the PSA-reflex tests) because of the intrinsic complexity of the ANA test performed by the indirect immunofluorescence method on cellular substrates. ...
Source: Autoimmunity Highlights - July 15, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
