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Medicina
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New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines
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New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Hematology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2022) | Viewed by 28804

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yehuda Shoenfeld

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Reichman University, Herzelya 4610101, Israel
Interests: autoimmune diseases; clinical immunology; systemic lupus erythematosus; rheumatology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this symposium we will discuss how infection can induce autoimmune diseases, mainly by hyperstimulation of the immune systems of genetically prone individuals. An emphasis will be placed on molecular mimicry. COVID-19 will be a case in point, with 12 autoimmune diseases known to be induced by the virus as well as 15 diverse autoantibodies. The impact of vaccines with molecular mimicry and aluminum as an adjuvant will be discussed, the advantage of mRNA will be delineated, and we will address who should be aware of vaccines and what to do when autoimmune diseases emerge. Through this Special Issue, we aim to present research on how to prepare a better and safer vaccine. Further subjects to be treated here will include cytokine storms, their mechanisms, and how to avoid them.                       

Prof. Dr. Yehuda Shoenfeld
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • autoimmunity
  • autoimmune diseases
  • autoantibodies
  • molecular mimicry
  • vaccines
  • COVID-19

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2419 KiB  
Article
Designing Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Construct against Prevotella intermedia-Interpain A: An Immunoinformatics Approach
by Pradeep Kumar Yadalam, Raghavendra Vamsi Anegundi, Safa Munawar, Ramya Ramadoss, Santhiya Rengaraj, Sindhu Ramesh, Mohammed Aljeldah, Basim R. Al Shammari, Ahmad A. Alshehri, Ameen S. S. Alwashmi, Safaa A. Turkistani, Abdulsalam Alawfi, Amer Alshengeti, Mohammed Garout, Amal A. Sabour, Maha A. Alshiekheid, Fatimah S. Aljebaly and Ali A. Rabaan
Medicina 2023, 59(2), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59020302 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3156
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory infectious disease marked by continuous degradation of teeth and surrounding parts. One of the most important periodontal pathogens is P. intermedia, and with its interpain A proteinase, it leads to an increase [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory infectious disease marked by continuous degradation of teeth and surrounding parts. One of the most important periodontal pathogens is P. intermedia, and with its interpain A proteinase, it leads to an increase in lethal infection. Materials and Methods: The current study was designed to create a multi-epitope vaccine using an immunoinformatics method that targets the interpain A of P. intermedia. For the development of vaccines, P. intermedia peptides InpA were found appropriate. To create a multi-epitope vaccination design, interpain A, B, and T-cell epitopes were found and assessed depending on the essential variables. The vaccine construct was evaluated based on its stability, antigenicity, and allergenicity. Results: The vaccine construct reached a more significant population and was able to bind to both the binding epitopes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II. Through the C3 receptor complex route, P. intermedia InpA promotes an immunological subunit. Utilizing InpA-C3 and vaccination epitopes as the receptor and ligand, the molecular docking and dynamics were performed using the ClusPro 2.0 server. Conclusion: The developed vaccine had shown good antigenicity, solubility, and stability. Molecular docking indicated the vaccine’s 3D structure interacts strongly with the complement C3. The current study describes the design for vaccine, and steady interaction with the C3 immunological receptor to induce a good memory and an adaptive immune response against Interpain A of P. intermedia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
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10 pages, 313 KiB  
Article
BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Effect on Blood Pressure
by Toh Leong Tan, Sharifah Azura Salleh, Zuraidah Che Man, Michelle Hwee Peng Tan, Rashid Kader and Razman Jarmin
Medicina 2022, 58(12), 1789; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58121789 - 5 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) before and 15 min after two doses that [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) before and 15 min after two doses that were given 21 days apart. Materials and Methods: This active surveillance study of vaccine safety was conducted on 15 and 16 March (for the first dose) and 5 and 6 April (for the second dose) 2021 in an academic hospital. For both doses, SBP, DBP, MAP, and PP levels were measured before and 15 min after both doses were given to healthcare workers over the age of 18. The results of the study were based on measurements of the mean blood pressure (BP), the mean changes in BP, and the BP trends. Results: In total, 287 individuals received the vaccine. After the first dose, 25% (n = 72) of individuals had a decrease in DBP of at least 10 mmHg (mean DBP decrease: 15 mmHg, 95% CI: 14–17 mmHg), and after the second dose it was 12.5% (mean DBP decrease: 13 mmHg, 95% CI: 12–15 mmHg). After the first dose, 28.6% (n = 82) had a PP that was wider than 40 mmHg. After the first dose, 5.2% and 4.9% of the individuals experienced an increase or decrease in SBP, respectively, of more than 20 mmHg. After the second dose, the SBP of 11% (n = 32) decreased by at least 20 mmHg. Conclusions: Improved understanding of vaccine effects on BP may help address vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
9 pages, 308 KiB  
Article
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Are Associated with Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis—A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
by Kassem Sharif, Niv Ben-Shabat, Muhammad Mahagna, Uria Shani, Abdulla Watad, Arnon D. Cohen and Howard Amital
Medicina 2022, 58(12), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58121727 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3759
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) are classified as polygenic autoimmune diseases, whereas inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a polygenic autoinflammatory disease. In the literature, several cases exist reporting the co-occurrence of both conditions. At the molecular level, PM/DM and [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) are classified as polygenic autoimmune diseases, whereas inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a polygenic autoinflammatory disease. In the literature, several cases exist reporting the co-occurrence of both conditions. At the molecular level, PM/DM and IBD share common genetic determinants including interferon regulatory factor and vitamin D receptor susceptibility loci. Accumulating evidence underline several indicators that confer poor prognosis in IBD, including antinuclear antibody positivity and the presence of other autoimmune diseases, therefore the aim of this study is to assess the association between these entities. Materials and Methods: This is a population-based retrospective study using data retrieved from a large electronic medical record in Israel, the Clalit health registry. The sample included PM/DM patients and age- and sex-frequency matched controls. The prevalence of IBD in PM/DM was compared between the two groups and logistic regression was applied to control for confounding variables. Predictors of IBD in patients with PM/DM were also explored. Results: Our study included 12,278 subjects with 2085 PM/DM patients and 10,193 age- and sex- frequency-matched controls. The incidence of IBD in patients with PM/DM was significantly higher even after controlling for various confounding variables (OR of 1.73, 95% CI 1.05–2.86, p-value = 0.033). Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) positivity was found to be an independent predictor for IBD diagnosis in patients with PM/DM (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.01–13.36, p = 0.048). Conclusion: Our analysis reports an association between IBD and PM/DM. Such association could point towards a common pathophysiological background. Further research is needed to further describe the clinical courses and whether a unique therapeutic approach is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
16 pages, 555 KiB  
Article
Uptake of COVID-19 Booster Dose among Saudi Arabian Population
by Najim Z. Alshahrani, Abdullah A. Alsabaani, Iman Ridda, Harunor Rashid, Faris Alzahrani, Talal Hamed Almutairi, Bader Ahmed S. Alzahrani and Abdulelah Saleh Saeed Albeshri
Medicina 2022, 58(7), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58070972 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3547
Abstract
Backgroundand objectives: Although several vaccines have been produced and administered around the world, new SARS-CoV-2 worsened the COVID-19 infection risk and impacted the initial vaccine dosage effectiveness. Based on studies indicating that the third and fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses significantly reduced [...] Read more.
Backgroundand objectives: Although several vaccines have been produced and administered around the world, new SARS-CoV-2 worsened the COVID-19 infection risk and impacted the initial vaccine dosage effectiveness. Based on studies indicating that the third and fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses significantly reduced COVID-19 transmission, Saudi Arabia has been administering COVID-19 booster vaccine doses to its citizens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster in relation to the socio-demographic characteristics and other associated factors among the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: This study was an online analytical cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Pearson Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 booster dose vaccines. Results: A total of 2332 responded to our study. Overall, 527 (22.6%) participants had received a booster dose. An age of 55 and above (aOR: 5.415; 95% CI: 2.719–10.783), Eastern region (aOR: 2.513; 95% CI: 1.566–4.033), history of influenza vaccination at annual intervals (aOR: 2.387; 95% CI: 1.730–3.293), the first dose of Moderna vaccine (aOR: 1.324; 95% CI: 1.160–1.510), and cancer (aOR: 2.161; 95% CI: 1.218–3.879) were independent factors most associated with a higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. In contrast, the second dose of Moderna vaccine (aOR: 0.794; 95% CI: 0.683–0.922), AstraZeneca vaccine (aOR: 0.691; 95% CI: 0.509–0.939), strong symptoms from side effects after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR: 0.615; 95% CI: 0.404–0.935) were independent factors most associated with a lower uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Conclusions: Our findings indicate low COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake. This necessitates the need for strategies to address discouraging factors of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose uptake and engage the Saudi population to raise awareness about the importance of the booster dose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
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10 pages, 906 KiB  
Article
The Levels of Serum Serotonin Can Be Related to Skin and Pulmonary Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis
by Marin Petrić, Dijana Perković, Ivona Božić, Daniela Marasović Krstulović and Dušanka Martinović Kaliterna
Medicina 2022, 58(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020161 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3462
Abstract
Background and Objective: The most prominent feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc), besides vasculopathy and autoimmune disorders, is excessive fibrosis. Serotonin affects hemostasis and can induce vasoconstriction, which is presumed to be one of the pathophysiological patterns in SSc that leads to fibrosis. [...] Read more.
Background and Objective: The most prominent feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc), besides vasculopathy and autoimmune disorders, is excessive fibrosis. Serotonin affects hemostasis and can induce vasoconstriction, which is presumed to be one of the pathophysiological patterns in SSc that leads to fibrosis. Our aim was to explore the possible association of serotonin with some of the clinical features of SSc in our cohort of patients. Materials and Methods: We measured serotonin levels in sera of 29 female SSc patients. Patients were 41–79 years old, their average disease duration was 9 years. Serotonin values were analyzed in correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters, such as modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), digital ulcers (DU), and spirometry parameters-forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and lung diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO). Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software Statistica. Results: We found correlation of serotonin level with mRSS (r = 0.388, p = 0.038). The highest values of serotonin were documented in patients with refractory DU, but this was not statistically significant. We also found a negative correlation between serotonin and FVC (r = −0.397), although it did not reach the level of significance (p = 0.114). Conclusions: Our study suggests that levels of serum serotonin could affect the course of skin fibrosis and partially restrictive pulmonary dysfunction in patients with SSc. We assume that serotonin might have influence on several features of SSc, but more studies are needed to reveal those relations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
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Review

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9 pages, 321 KiB  
Review
Vaccines and Autoimmunity—From Side Effects to ASIA Syndrome
by Isa Seida, Ravend Seida, Abdulrahman Elsalti and Naim Mahroum
Medicina 2023, 59(2), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59020364 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5112
Abstract
Since vaccines are in fact manufactured chemical compounds such as drugs, the appearance of side effects following their use is not surprising. Similarly, as the main goal of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system bringing out the production of protective antibodies, autoimmune-related [...] Read more.
Since vaccines are in fact manufactured chemical compounds such as drugs, the appearance of side effects following their use is not surprising. Similarly, as the main goal of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system bringing out the production of protective antibodies, autoimmune-related side effects as a consequence of increased immune activity do not seem irrational. Fortunately, the rate of such side effects is low; however, the importance of reporting adverse events following vaccinations, understanding the mechanisms behind their appearance, making early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment cannot be overemphasized. In fact, autoimmune-related side effects of vaccines, particularly those based on adjuvants, were reported long before the introduction of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). Nevertheless, ASIA gathered and united the side effects of vaccines under one title, a step which helped organize the research and call for better immune stimulators than adjuvants. New technologies and methods of making vaccines were clearly noticed during the pandemic of COVID-19 after the introduction of mRNA-based vaccines. In our current paper, we introduce the notion of side effects to vaccines, particularly those of autoimmune nature, the mechanisms of ASIA, and the main vaccines linked with the syndrome including the recent COVID-19 vaccines. The transition from side effects to ASIA is the main idea behind our work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)

Other

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7 pages, 803 KiB  
Case Report
Dysautonomia Following Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap): The First Case of Extreme Cachexia Caused by Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA Syndrome) in a Human
by Or Hen, Paula David and Yehuda Shoenfeld
Medicina 2021, 57(12), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57121333 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6229
Abstract
Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA; Shoenfeld’s syndrome) comprehends a group of autoimmune conditions that flourish in genetically predisposed individuals, following an external stimulus by the so-called adjuvants. Many adjuvants were described, such as vaccines, aluminum and other metals, silicone, tattoos, among others. [...] Read more.
Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA; Shoenfeld’s syndrome) comprehends a group of autoimmune conditions that flourish in genetically predisposed individuals, following an external stimulus by the so-called adjuvants. Many adjuvants were described, such as vaccines, aluminum and other metals, silicone, tattoos, among others. Those conditions entail defined diseases, such as sarcoidosis and Sjogren’s syndrome, and generalized complex symptoms, for example, fatigue, sleep disturbance, orthostatic intolerance, and other dysautonomic manifestations. Those complaints were previously associated with autoantibodies against nervous system autonomic receptors, especially antibeta 1 adrenergic receptor antibodies, suggesting the autoimmune component of the condition. Here we report on a case of an 18-year-old woman who presented with extreme cachexia due to severe dysautonomia caused by the ASIA syndrome induced by the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Autoimmunity and Vaccines)
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