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Open AccessArticle

Collagen Autoantibodies and Their Relationship to CCP Antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor in the Progression of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Senga F. Whittingham, Alex Stockman and Merrill J. Rowley

Antibodies 2017, 6(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib6020006 - 5 Apr 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7656

Abstract

Serum autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are important markers for diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their autoantigens are not cartilage-specific. Autoantibodies to joint-specific type II collagen (CII) also occur in RA, and monoclonal antibodies of [...] Read more.

Serum autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are important markers for diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their autoantigens are not cartilage-specific. Autoantibodies to joint-specific type II collagen (CII) also occur in RA, and monoclonal antibodies of similar specificity induce collagen antibody-induced arthritis in animals, but their role in RA is uncertain. We utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the CB10 peptide of CII to compare the frequency of autoantibodies with those of anti-CCP and RF in stored sera from a prospective study of 82 patients with early RA to examine the outcome, defined as remission (n = 23), persisting non-erosive arthritis (n = 27), or erosions (n = 32). Initial frequencies of anti-CB10, anti-CCP and RF were 76%, 54%, and 57% in RA, and 4%, 0%, and 9% in 136 controls. The frequency of anti-CB10 was unrelated to outcome, but anti-CCP and RF increased with increasing severity, and the number of autoantibodies mirrored the severity. We suggest RA is an immune complex-mediated arthritis in which the three antibodies interact, with anti-CII inducing localized cartilage damage and inflammation resulting in citrullination of joint proteins, neoepitope formation, and a strong anti-CCP response in genetically-susceptible subjects, all amplified and modified by RF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessArticle

Antibody Reactivity of B Cells in Lupus Patients with Increased Disease Activity and ARID3a Expression

by Julie M. Ward, Judith A. James, Yan D. Zhao and Carol F. Webb

Antibodies 2015, 4(4), 354-368; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib4040354 - 17 Nov 2015

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6092

Abstract

Earlier studies showed that the DNA-binding protein, Bright/ARID3a bound to a subset of human and mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain promoters where it enhanced expression. Indeed, mice with transgenic expression of ARID3a in all B lymphocytes have expanded MZ B cells and produce anti-nuclear [...] Read more.

Earlier studies showed that the DNA-binding protein, Bright/ARID3a bound to a subset of human and mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain promoters where it enhanced expression. Indeed, mice with transgenic expression of ARID3a in all B lymphocytes have expanded MZ B cells and produce anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs). Consistent with our findings in mice, we observed that human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients had expanded numbers of peripheral blood ARID3a⁺ B cells that were associated with increased disease activity (p = 0.0038). We hypothesized that ARID3a⁺ naïve B cells would eventually produce autoantibodies, explaining associations between ARID3a expression and disease activity in lupus. Unlike healthy controls, ARID3a was expressed in the naïve B cell population in SLE patients, and we hypothesized that these might represent expansions of autoreactive cells. Therefore, monoclonal antibodies were generated from single-sorted naïve B cells derived from patients with normal (ARID3a^N) and high (ARID3a^H) numbers of ARID3a⁺ B cells. We found that ARID3a expression did not correlate with autoantibody expression. Furthermore, measures of antigen specificities of autoreactive antibodies did not reveal skewing toward particular proteins. These data suggest that the association of increased disease activity in SLE with numbers of ARID3a⁺ B lymphocytes may be mediated by an antibody-independent mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Epitope Specificity of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies

by Nicole H. Trier and Gunnar Houen

Antibodies 2017, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib6010005 - 8 Mar 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 9329

Abstract

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies are primarily associated with a progressive course in the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a disease with a chronic and inflammatory nature. These antibodies do not appear to have any strict dependency for reactivity except from the presence of the non-genetically [...] Read more.

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies are primarily associated with a progressive course in the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a disease with a chronic and inflammatory nature. These antibodies do not appear to have any strict dependency for reactivity except from the presence of the non-genetically encoded amino acid citrulline, which is the result of a posttranslational modification, catalyzed by calcium-dependent peptidylarginine deiminase enzymes. Nevertheless, several amino acids surrounding the citrulline residue notably influence antibody reactivity, especially with a central-Cit-Gly-motif being essential for antibody reactivity. Most importantly, these antibodies have been proposed to be divided into two groups, based on their ability to recognize multiple citrullinated peptides. Thus, an “overlapping” antibody group, which appears to recognize several citrullinated peptides, and a “non-overlapping” antibody group, which only recognizes a limited number of citrullinated peptides, have been proposed. Based on these findings, we suggest that antibodies recognizing several citrullinated targets, also referred to as cross-reactive antibodies, primarily are backbone-dependent, whereas less cross-reactive antibodies primarily depend on the side chains of the amino acids comprising the epitopes for stable antibody-antigen interactions, which reduces the degree of cross-reactivity significantly. Clarifying the reactivity pattern of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies may contribute to determining their true nature of origin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

Pathogenic and Protective Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED)

by Sakeen W. Kashem and Bryce A. Binstadt

Antibodies 2017, 6(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib6010001 - 17 Jan 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6219

Abstract

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, leading to defects in T cell selection. The disease manifestations include both autoimmune tissue destruction and immunodeficiency, with specific susceptibility to chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. [...] Read more.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, leading to defects in T cell selection. The disease manifestations include both autoimmune tissue destruction and immunodeficiency, with specific susceptibility to chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Studies have demonstrated a wide repertoire of high affinity tissue- and cytokine-specific antibodies in patients with APECED. Here, we review the antigenic targets and function of these disease-causing and disease-ameliorating antibodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

Autoantibodies in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

by Carolin Hoffmann, Shenghua Zong, Marina Mané-Damas, Peter Molenaar, Mario Losen and Pilar Martinez-Martinez

Antibodies 2016, 5(2), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib5020009 - 21 Apr 2016

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 12175

Abstract

Little is known about the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. The identification of autoantibodies targeting the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R), which causes neurological and psychiatric symptoms, has reinvigorated the hypothesis that other patient subgroups may also suffer from an underlying autoimmune condition. [...] Read more.

Little is known about the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. The identification of autoantibodies targeting the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R), which causes neurological and psychiatric symptoms, has reinvigorated the hypothesis that other patient subgroups may also suffer from an underlying autoimmune condition. In recent years, a wide range of neuropsychiatric diseases and autoantibodies targeting ion-channels or neuronal receptors including NMDA-R, voltage gated potassium channel complex (VGKC complex), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA-R), γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA-R) and dopamine receptor (DR) were studied and conflicting reports have been published regarding the seroprevalence of these autoantibodies. A clear causative role of autoantibodies on psychiatric symptoms has as yet only been shown for the NMDA-R. Several other autoantibodies have been related to the presence of certain symptoms and antibody effector mechanisms have been proposed. However, extensive clinical studies with large multicenter efforts to standardize diagnostic procedures for autoimmune etiology and animal studies are needed to confirm the pathogenicity of these autoantibodies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of neuronal autoantibodies in the major neuropsychiatric disorders: psychotic, major depression, autism spectrum, obsessive-compulsive and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

Anticytokine Autoantibodies: Association with Infection and Immune Dysregulation

by Vijaya Knight, Patricia A. Merkel and Michael D. O’Sullivan

Antibodies 2016, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib5010003 - 15 Jan 2016

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 9962

Abstract

The association of autoantibodies to cytokines with immune deficiency, autoimmunity and/or immune dysregulation is increasingly being recognized. For example, autoantibodies to interferon gamma have been found to be associated with chronic, treatment refractory infections with intracellular organisms such as mycobacteria, autoantibodies to interleukin [...] Read more.

The association of autoantibodies to cytokines with immune deficiency, autoimmunity and/or immune dysregulation is increasingly being recognized. For example, autoantibodies to interferon gamma have been found to be associated with chronic, treatment refractory infections with intracellular organisms such as mycobacteria, autoantibodies to interleukin 17 with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, and anti-interferon alpha autoantibodies with systemic lupus erythematosus. While low titer autoantibodies to these and other cytokines may be detected in normal individuals, patients with infectious or autoimmune manifestations tend to have high titer autoantibodies that may block or potentiate the function of the respective cytokine. Recognition of these autoantibodies is important because it may direct treatment toward a combination of adjunctive immunotherapy to modulate the autoantibody level while continuing with appropriate anti-microbial therapy. This review focuses on the anti-cytokine autoantibodies documented to date, their autoimmune, immune dysregulation and infectious disease associations, methods for detection of these antibodies and potential treatment options. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

Autoantibodies in SLE: Specificities, Isotypes and Receptors

by Barbara Dema and Nicolas Charles

Antibodies 2016, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib5010002 - 4 Jan 2016

Cited by 128 | Viewed by 21257

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a wide spectrum of auto-antibodies which recognize several cellular components. The production of these self-reactive antibodies fluctuates during the course of the disease and the involvement of different antibody-secreting cell populations are considered highly relevant for [...] Read more.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a wide spectrum of auto-antibodies which recognize several cellular components. The production of these self-reactive antibodies fluctuates during the course of the disease and the involvement of different antibody-secreting cell populations are considered highly relevant for the disease pathogenesis. These cells are developed and stimulated through different ways leading to the secretion of a variety of isotypes, affinities and idiotypes. Each of them has a particular mechanism of action binding to a specific antigen and recognized by distinct receptors. The effector responses triggered lead to a chronic tissue inflammation. DsDNA autoantibodies are the most studied as well as the first in being characterized for its pathogenic role in Lupus nephritis. However, others are of growing interest since they have been associated with other organ-specific damage, such as anti-NMDAR antibodies in neuropsychiatric clinical manifestations or anti-β2GP1 antibodies in vascular symptomatology. In this review, we describe the different auto-antibodies reported to be involved in SLE. How autoantibody isotypes and affinity-binding to their antigen might result in different pathogenic responses is also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

Regenerating Gene Protein as a Novel Autoantigen in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren’s Syndrome

by Takashi Fujimoto, Kiyomi Yoshimoto, Takanori Fujimura, Maiko Takeda, Akiyo Yamauchi, Asako Itaya-Hironaka and Shin Takasawa

Antibodies 2015, 4(4), 409-425; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib4040409 - 7 Dec 2015

Viewed by 5541

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction leading to dry mouth and dry eye diseases, is typified by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrations and a progressive destruction of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Despite an ever-increasing focus on identifying the underlying etiology of [...] Read more.

Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction leading to dry mouth and dry eye diseases, is typified by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrations and a progressive destruction of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Despite an ever-increasing focus on identifying the underlying etiology of Sjögren’s syndrome, the factors that initiate this autoimmune disease and the mechanisms that cause the subsequent exocrine gland dysfunction remain a mystery. The original explanatory concept for the pathogenesis of Sjögren’s syndrome proposed a specific, self-perpetuating, immune-mediated loss of acinar and ductal cells as the principal cause of salivary gland dysfunction. We highlight the possible involvement of regenerating gene (Reg) in the regeneration and destruction of salivary gland acinar and ductal cells in Sjögren’s syndrome. The Reg gene was originally isolated as a gene specifically overexpressed in regenerating pancreatic islets and constitutes a growth factor family (Reg family). We describe how salivary gland dysfunction is initiated and maintained and how it can be regenerated or progressed, mediated by the Reg gene, Reg protein, and anti-REG autoantibodies in Sjögren’s syndrome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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Open AccessReview

The Role of Pathogenic Autoantibodies in Autoimmunity

by Merrill J. Rowley and Senga F. Whittingham

Antibodies 2015, 4(4), 314-353; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib4040314 - 10 Nov 2015

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 10177

Abstract

The serological presence of autoantibodies is diagnostic of autoimmunity, and these autoantibodies may be present for many years before the presentation of autoimmune disease (AID). Although a pathogenic role has been demonstrated for various autoantibodies reactive with cell surface and extracellular autoantigens, studies [...] Read more.

The serological presence of autoantibodies is diagnostic of autoimmunity, and these autoantibodies may be present for many years before the presentation of autoimmune disease (AID). Although a pathogenic role has been demonstrated for various autoantibodies reactive with cell surface and extracellular autoantigens, studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) show not all antibodies in the polyclonal response are pathogenic. Differences depend on Fab-mediated diversity in epitope specificity, Fc-mediated effects based on immunoglobulin (Ig) class and subclass, activation of complement, and the milieu in which the reaction occurs. These autoantibodies often occur in organ-specific AID and this review illustrates their pathogenic and highly specific effects. The role of autoantibodies associated with intracellular antigens is less clear. In vitro they may inhibit or adversely affect well-defined intracellular biochemical pathways, yet, in vivo they are separated from their autoantigens by multiple cellular barriers. Recent evidence that Ig can traverse cell membranes, interact with intracellular proteins, and induce apoptosis has provided new evidence for a pathogenic role for such autoantibodies. An understanding of how autoantibodies behave in the polyclonal response and their role in pathogenesis of AID may help identify populations of culprit B-cells and selection of treatments that suppress or eliminate them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auto-Antibody and Autoimmune Disease)

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