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Mazur-Melewska K, Luczak M, Watral J, Małecki P, Mania A, Figlerowicz M. The Impact of Acute EBV Infection on Changes in the Serum Proteome in Children-A Pilot Study. Pathogens 2024; 13:471. [PMID: 38921769 PMCID: PMC11206626 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on children's proteomes across different phases of the disease, utilising seventy-nine blood samples categorised into three groups: EBV-naive patients, acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) cases, and convalescents followed up for 12 months post-IM. The aim is to identify proteins influenced by EBV infection, shedding light on the chronic processes triggered by the virus. The results reveal thirty-nine proteins distinguishing between naive patients and those with IM, including actin, lumican, peroxiredoxin-2, fibulin-1, gelsolin, and alpha-2-macroglobulin, which are involved in immune responses, cell adhesion, and inflammation. Elevated oxidative stress markers like peroxiredoxin-2 in IM patients suggest potential links to EBV's induction of reactive oxygen species. Increased levels of apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, C-IV, and M during IM imply associations with viral infection, while complement system proteins (C1q, C1r, and C8 gamma chain) are also elevated, reflecting their role in the immune response and viral clearance. This study's focus on children provides unique insights into EBV's impact on young populations, emphasising proteomics' role in uncovering protein associations and understanding the virus's long-term consequences. However, specific relationships between identified proteins and EBV infection require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Luczak
- Department of Biomedical Proteomics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Watral
- Department of Biomedical Proteomics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Małecki
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Mania
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Figlerowicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
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Alshamrani S, Mashraqi MM, Alzamami A, Alturki NA, Almasoudi HH, Alshahrani MA, Basharat Z. Mining Autoimmune-Disorder-Linked Molecular-Mimicry Candidates in Clostridioides difficile and Prospects of Mimic-Based Vaccine Design: An In Silico Approach. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2300. [PMID: 37764144 PMCID: PMC10536613 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mimicry, a phenomenon in which microbial or environmental antigens resemble host antigens, has been proposed as a potential trigger for autoimmune responses. In this study, we employed a bioinformatics approach to investigate the role of molecular mimicry in Clostridioides difficile-caused infections and the induction of autoimmune disorders due to this phenomenon. Comparing proteomes of host and pathogen, we identified 23 proteins that exhibited significant sequence homology and were linked to autoimmune disorders. The disorders included rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, etc., while infections included viral and bacterial infections like HIV, HCV, and tuberculosis. The structure of the homologous proteins was superposed, and RMSD was calculated to find the maximum deviation, while accounting for rigid and flexible regions. Two sequence mimics (antigenic, non-allergenic, and immunogenic) of ≥10 amino acids from these proteins were used to design a vaccine construct to explore the possibility of eliciting an immune response. Docking analysis of the top vaccine construct C2 showed favorable interactions with HLA and TLR-4 receptor, indicating potential efficacy. The B-cell and T-helper cell activity was also simulated, showing promising results for effective immunization against C. difficile infections. This study highlights the potential of C. difficile to trigger autoimmunity through molecular mimicry and vaccine design based on sequence mimics that trigger a defensive response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Alshamrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Mutaib M. Mashraqi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Ahmad Alzamami
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, AlQuwayiyah 11961, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Norah A. Alturki
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hassan H. Almasoudi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
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Adiguzel Y, Mahroum N, Muller S, Blank M, Halpert G, Shoenfeld Y. Shared Pathogenicity Features and Sequences between EBV, SARS-CoV-2, and HLA Class I Molecule-binding Motifs with a Potential Role in Autoimmunity. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023; 65:206-230. [PMID: 37505416 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are extraordinary in their ability to activate autoimmunity as well as to induce diverse autoimmune diseases. Here we reviewed the current knowledge on their relation. Further, we suggested that molecular mimicry could be a possible common mechanism of autoimmunity induction in the susceptible individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins, and EBV and human proteins, are present. Besides, relation of the pathogenicity associated with both coronavirus diseases and EBV supports the notion. As a proof-of-the-concept, we investigated 8mer sequences with shared 5mers of SARS-CoV-2, EBV, and human proteins, which were predicted as epitopes binding to the same human leukocyte antigen (HLA) supertype representatives. We identified significant number of human peptide sequences with predicted-affinities to the HLA-A*02:01 allele. Rest of the peptide sequences had predicted-affinities to the HLA-A*02:01, HLA-B*40:01, HLA-B*27:05, HLA-A*01:01, and HLA-B*39:01 alleles. Carriers of these serotypes can be under a higher risk of autoimmune response induction upon getting infected, through molecular mimicry-based mechanisms common to SARS-CoV-2 and EBV infections. We additionally reviewed established associations of the identified proteins with the EBV-related pathogenicity and with the autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yekbun Adiguzel
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Atilim University, Kizilcasar Mah. 06836 Incek, Golbasi, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Naim Mahroum
- International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Göztepe Mah, Atatürk Cd. No:40, Beykoz, Istanbul, 34810, Turkey
| | - Sylviane Muller
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique-Université de Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signalling Unit, Neuroimmunology and Peptide Therapeutics Team, Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute, Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Miri Blank
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel-Hashomer, 52621, Israel
| | - Gilad Halpert
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel-Hashomer, 52621, Israel
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel-Hashomer, 52621, Israel
- Reichman University, Herzliya, 4610101, Israel
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Klatka M, Rysz I, Hymos A, Polak A, Mertowska P, Mertowski S, Smolak K, Grywalska E. Effect of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection on Selected Immunological Parameters in Children with Type 1 Diabetes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032392. [PMID: 36768715 PMCID: PMC9917181 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders with different etiologies, pathogeneses and clinical pictures, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to abnormal insulin secretion or action. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents, accounting for about 90% of diabetes in the population under the age of 18. The etiopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes is multifactorial. The disease occurs as a result of the interaction of three factors: genetic predisposition, environmental factors and the immune response. Research in recent years has focused on the involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes. The goals of treating type 1 diabetes include maintaining blood-glucose, fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; therefore, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of EBV infection on the activation of selected immune cells, fructosamine levels and HbA1c levels in children with type I diabetes. Based on our study, we found a lower percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes with expression of the CD69 molecule in patients with anti-VCA antibodies in the IgG class, and a lower percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes with expression of the CD25+ molecule in patients with anti-EBNA-1 antibodies in the IgG class, which may indicate limited control of the immune system during EBV infection in patients. There was a lower percentage of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes secreting IL-4 in the study group, indicating that a deficiency in IL-4 production may be related to the development of type 1 diabetes. There was an increase in the percentage of CD4+CD3+IL-10 lymphocytes in the study group with anti-VCA antibodies present in the IgG class and anti-EBNA-1 antibodies in the IgG class compared to the patients without antibodies. In addition, there was a significant increase in fructosamine levels and higher glycated hemoglobin levels in the study group with antibodies to EBV antigens. In addition, an increase in the percentage of T lymphocytes with a CD4+CD3+IL-17+ phenotype in the patients with anti-VCA IgG antibodies was confirmed, and higher HbA1c levels may suggest that EBV infection is accompanied by an increase in IL-17 secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Klatka
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Izabela Rysz
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Hymos
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Polak
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Konrad Smolak
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Ming B, Bai M, Cai S, Wang B, Zhong J, Dong L. Clinical characteristics of SLE patients infected with Epstein-Barr virus and potential associated risk factors. Clin Rheumatol 2023; 42:101-109. [PMID: 36155871 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical features and potential associated risk factors of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA positivity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS A total of 121 newly diagnosed SLE patients who had never used immunosuppressive drugs (treatment-naïve) and 191 previously treated SLE patients from January 2017 to January 2020 were enrolled in this study. And 115 age- and sex-matched non-rheumatic disease controls were also included. RESULTS A significantly higher incidence of EBV DNA positivity and higher viral DNA copies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were observed among treatment-naïve and previously treated SLE patients compared with controls. The positivity rate of EBV DNA was further increased in previously treated SLE patients compared with that in treatment-naïve patients. EBV DNA-positive treatment-naïve SLE patients presented lower incidence of hemolytic anemia and more affected organ number than EBV DNA-negative patients. EBV DNA-positive treated SLE patients showed older age, longer immunosuppressive duration, higher IgG level, and higher Th/Ts ratio than EBV DNA-negative patients. Patients responding well to treatment with decreased SLE disease activity index scores had a transformation of EBV DNA from positive to negative in treated SLE patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age, higher IgG level, and longer immunosuppressive duration were associated risk factors for EBV DNA positivity in SLE patients, while higher TNF-α level was a protective factor. CONCLUSION Older age, higher IgG level, and longer immunosuppressive duration are associated with the positivity of EBV DNA in SLE patients. A seroconversion of EBV DNA indicates an association between EBV positivity and therapy response, while larger number cases are needed to confirm. Key Points • Older age, higher IgG level, and longer immunosuppressive duration are associated with EBV DNA positivity in SLE patients. • A seroconversion of EBV DNA might be an indicator to reflect the SLE therapy -response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxia Ming
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Ma Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shaozhe Cai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Bei Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jixin Zhong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Lingli Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Loosen SH, Doege C, Meuth SG, Luedde T, Kostev K, Roderburg C. Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of multiple sclerosis: Results from a cohort study of 32,116 outpatients in Germany. Front Immunol 2022; 13:937583. [PMID: 35983044 PMCID: PMC9379368 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.937583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has not yet been fully uncovered. There is increasing evidence that Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) infection, which affects over 90% of people during life and causes infectious mononucleosis, leads to an increased incidence of MS, and thus may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods Using the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) featuring diagnoses as well as basic medical and demographic data of outpatients from general practices in Germany, we identified a total of 16,058 patients with infectious mononucleosis that were matched to a cohort of equal size without infectious mononucleosis based on patients’ age, sex, index year and yearly consultation frequency. Incidence of MS was compared within a 10-year follow-up period. Results Within 10 years from the index date, the incidence of MS was 22.6 cases per 100,000 person-years among patient with infectious mononucleosis but only 11.9 cases per 100,000 person-years among individuals without infectious mononucleosis. In regression analysis, infectious mononucleosis was significantly associated with the incidence of MS (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.09-3.16). Subgroup analysis revealed the strongest association between infectious mononucleosis and MS in the age group between 14 and 20 years (HR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.00-12.37) as well as a stronger association in men compared to women. Conclusion Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of MS especially in younger individuals. Our data support the growing evidence of a decisive involvement of EBV in the currently unknown pathophysiology of MS and should trigger further research efforts to better understand and potentially prevent cases of this disabling disease in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven H. Loosen
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tom Luedde, ; Sven H. Loosen,
| | - Corinna Doege
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Central Hospital Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sven G. Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tom Luedde, ; Sven H. Loosen,
| | | | - Christoph Roderburg
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Iwata S, Tanaka Y. Association of Viral Infection With the Development and Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:849120. [PMID: 35280878 PMCID: PMC8914279 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.849120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes multiple organ damage in women of childbearing age and has a relapsing-remitting course. SLE is caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, however, its underlying triggers remain unknown. Among the environmental factors, the involvement of infections as a trigger for SLE, especially those of viral etiology, has been widely reported. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may put patients at a genetic predisposition to SLE, while the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role as an environmental factor that triggers the development of SLE. It has been suggested that EBV-infected B-cells may become resistant to apoptosis, resulting in the activation, proliferation, and antibody production of autoreactive B-cells, which cause tissue damage in SLE. However, the interaction between the virus and immune cells, as well as the impact of the virus on the differentiation and dysfunction of immune cells, remain unclear. In this review, we focus on the relationship between the development and pathogenesis of SLE and viral infections, as well as the mechanism of SLE exacerbation via activation of immune cells, such as B-cells, based on the latest findings.
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Buonavoglia A, Leone P, Prete M, Solimando AG, Guastadisegno C, Lanave G, Camero M, Martella V, Lo Muzio L, Racanelli V. Epstein-Barr Virus in Salivary Samples from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients with Oral Lesions. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214995. [PMID: 34768514 PMCID: PMC8584540 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to investigate the possible role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its associated oral lesions, a pilot case-control study was performed. A total of 31 patients (18 females and 13 males) were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: group A included 16 patients with diagnosis of SLE and group B included 15 healthy individuals. Salivary swab samples were collected and subjected to molecular screening by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the detection of EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly detected in 8/16 (50%) SLE patients and in 5/7 (71.4%) subjects with SLE-associated oral lesions. Since EBV is one of the most common viruses in the human population, it is difficult to understand if it is the causative agent of SLE or, vice versa, if SLE is able to trigger the reactivation of EBV. This study highlights a significant association between the presence of EBV and both SLE and SLE-related oral lesions and provides rationale for further investigation into the role of EBV in SLE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Buonavoglia
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
| | - Marcella Prete
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Guastadisegno
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (M.C.); (V.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0804679805
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (M.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (M.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Lo Muzio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Unit of Internal Medicine “Guido Baccelli”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (P.L.); (M.P.); (A.G.S.); (C.G.); (V.R.)
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Lee HL, Park JW, Seok JM, Jeon MY, Kim H, Lim YM, Shin HY, Kang SY, Kwon OH, Lee SS, Seok HY, Min JH, Lee SH, Kim BJ, Kim BJ. Serum Peptide Immunoglobulin G Autoantibody Response in Patients with Different Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Disorders. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081339. [PMID: 34441277 PMCID: PMC8392162 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous efforts to discover new surrogate markers for the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disorders have shown inconsistent results; moreover, supporting evidence is scarce. The present study investigated the IgG autoantibody responses to various viral and autoantibodies-related peptides proposed to be related to CNS inflammatory demyelinating disorders using the peptide microarray method. We customized a peptide microarray containing more than 2440 immobilized peptides representing human and viral autoantigens. Using this, we tested the sera of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD seropositive, n = 6; NMOSD seronegative, n = 5), multiple sclerosis (MS, n = 5), and myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD, n = 6), as well as healthy controls (HC, n = 5) and compared various peptide immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses between the groups. Among the statistically significant peptides based on the pairwise comparisons of IgG responses in each disease group to HC, cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related peptides were most clearly distinguishable among the study groups. In particular, the most significant differences in IgG response were observed for HC vs. MS and HC vs. seronegative NMOSD (p = 0.064). Relatively higher IgG responses to CMV-related peptides were observed in patients with MS and NMOSD based on analysis of the customized peptide microarray.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Lim Lee
- Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.L.L.); (J.-W.P.)
| | - Jin-Woo Park
- Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.L.L.); (J.-W.P.)
| | - Jin Myoung Seok
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 31151, Korea;
| | - Mi Young Jeon
- Samsung Research Institute of Future Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea;
| | - Hojin Kim
- Department of Neurology, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea;
| | - Young-Min Lim
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea;
| | - Ha Young Shin
- Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
| | - Sa-Yoon Kang
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju 63241, Korea;
| | - Oh-Hyun Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Eulji University College of Medicine, Seoul 01830, Korea;
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (S.-S.L.); (S.-H.L.)
| | - Hung Youl Seok
- Department of Neurology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu 41931, Korea;
| | - Ju-Hong Min
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea;
- Neuroscience Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Sung-Hyun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (S.-S.L.); (S.-H.L.)
| | - Byung-Jo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.L.L.); (J.-W.P.)
- BK21 FOUR Program in Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.-J.K.); (B.J.K.)
| | - Byoung Joon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea;
- Neuroscience Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.-J.K.); (B.J.K.)
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Farina A, Rosato E, York M, Gewurz BE, Trojanowska M, Farina GA. Innate Immune Modulation Induced by EBV Lytic Infection Promotes Endothelial Cell Inflammation and Vascular Injury in Scleroderma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:651013. [PMID: 33953718 PMCID: PMC8089375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.651013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microvascular injury is considered an initial event in the pathogenesis of scleroderma and endothelial cells are suspected of being the target of the autoimmune process seen in the disease. EBV has long been proposed as a trigger for autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma. Nevertheless, its contribution to the pathogenic process remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that EBV lytic antigens are detected in scleroderma dermal vessels, suggesting that endothelial cells might represent a target for EBV infection in scleroderma skin. We show that EBV DNA load is remarkably increased in peripheral blood, plasma and circulating monocytes from scleroderma patients compared to healthy EBV carriers, and that monocytes represent the prominent subsets of EBV-infected cells in scleroderma. Given that monocytes have the capacity to adhere to the endothelium, we then investigated whether monocyte-associated EBV could infect primary human endothelial cells. We demonstrated that endothelial cells are infectable by EBV, using human monocytes bound to recombinant EBV as a shuttle, even though cell-free virus failed to infect them. We show that EBV induces activation of TLR9 innate immune response and markers of vascular injury in infected endothelial cells and that up-regulation is associated with the expression of EBV lytic genes in infected cells. EBV innate immune modulation suggests a novel mechanism mediating inflammation, by which EBV triggers endothelial cell and vascular injury in scleroderma. In addition, our data point to up-regulation of EBV DNA loads as potential biomarker in developing vasculopathy in scleroderma. These findings provide the framework for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to shift the scleroderma treatment paradigm towards antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Farina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Rosato
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael York
- Division of Rheumatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Benjamin E Gewurz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Division of Rheumatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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Viral Infections and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: New Players in an Old Story. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020277. [PMID: 33670195 PMCID: PMC7916951 DOI: 10.3390/v13020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A causal link between viral infections and autoimmunity has been studied for a long time and the role of some viruses in the induction or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in genetically predisposed patients has been proved. The strength of the association between different viral agents and SLE is variable. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), parvovirus B19 (B19V), and human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are involved in SLE pathogenesis, whereas other viruses such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) probably play a less prominent role. However, the mechanisms of viral-host interactions and the impact of viruses on disease course have yet to be elucidated. In addition to classical mechanisms of viral-triggered autoimmunity, such as molecular mimicry and epitope spreading, there has been a growing appreciation of the role of direct activation of innate response by viral nucleic acids and epigenetic modulation of interferon-related immune response. The latter is especially important for HERVs, which may represent the molecular link between environmental triggers and critical immune genes. Virus-specific proteins modulating interaction with the host immune system have been characterized especially for Epstein-Barr virus and explain immune evasion, persistent infection and self-reactive B-cell "immortalization". Knowledge has also been expanding on key viral proteins of B19-V and CMV and their possible association with specific phenotypes such as antiphospholipid syndrome. This progress may pave the way to new therapeutic perspectives, including the use of known or new antiviral drugs, postviral immune response modulation and innate immunity inhibition. We herein describe the state-of-the-art knowledge on the role of viral infections in SLE, with a focus on their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic targets.
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12
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Talotta R, Atzeni F, Laska MJ. Therapeutic peptides for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a place in therapy. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:845-867. [PMID: 32500750 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1777983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies in vitro and in vivo have identified several peptides that are potentially useful in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The rationale for their use lies in the cost-effective production, high potency, target selectivity, low toxicity, and a peculiar mechanism of action that is mainly based on the induction of immune tolerance. Three therapeutic peptides have entered clinical development, but they have yielded disappointing results. However, some subsets of patients, such as those with the positivity of anti-dsDNA antibodies, appear more likely to respond to these medications. AREAS COVERED This review evaluates the potential use of therapeutic peptides for SLE and gives an opinion on how they may offer advantages for SLE treatment. EXPERT OPINION Given their acceptable safety profile, therapeutic peptides could be added to agents traditionally used to treat SLE and this may offer a synergistic and drug-sparing effect, especially in selected patient populations. Moreover, they could temporarily be utilized to manage SLE flares, or be administered as a vaccine in subjects at risk. Efforts to ameliorate bioavailability, increase the half-life and prevent immunogenicity are ongoing. The formulation of hybrid compounds, like peptibodies or peptidomimetic small molecules, is expected to yield renewed treatments with a better pharmacologic profile and increased efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Talotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera "Gaetano Martino", University of Messina , Messina, Italy
| | - Fabiola Atzeni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera "Gaetano Martino", University of Messina , Messina, Italy
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13
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Gkoutzourelas A, Barmakoudi M, Bogdanos DP. A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2020; 31:50-70. [PMID: 32411933 PMCID: PMC7219639 DOI: 10.31138/mjr.31.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent bioinformatic analysis revealing dominant B cell epitopes of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-centromere B, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-fibrillarin, has demonstrated the existence of several in silico antigenic mimics of pathogens that could act as triggers of the respective dominant autoepitopes. Based on those findings, the aim of the present study was to use a more comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. We demonstrated the presence of a plethora of novel microbial mimics, unnoticed by the studies so far conducted, which share remarkable amino acid similarities with the respective autoantigenic epitopes. This bioinformatic approach coupled by in vitro testing of the homologous self/non-self-mimics in serum samples from patients with systemic sclerosis may provide novel evidence of immunological cross-reactivity, implicating currently ignored or overlooked pathogens, which may indeed play a role in the induction of SSc-specific autoantibodies and assist efforts to understand the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Gkoutzourelas
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Barmakoudi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Talotta R, Sarzi-Puttini P, Laska MJ, Atzeni F. Retrotransposons shuttling genetic and epigenetic information from the nuclear to the mitochondrial compartment: Do they play a pathogenetic role in scleroderma? Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2019; 49:42-58. [PMID: 31677967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous retroelements are a class of ancient defective viral insertions contained in the genome of host cells, where they account for up to 40% of all DNA. Centuries of co-existence in host genome have led to the development of immunotolerance to endogenous retroelements, most of which are defective and unable to replicate or transcribe functional proteins. However, given their capacity to move across the nuclear and mitochondrial genome and recombine, they could mix phenotypes and give rise to infections that may trigger innate and adaptive immune responses by sensing receptors capable of recognising foreign nucleic acids and proteins. It has recently been suggested that they play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases on the grounds of their partial reactivation or the epigenetic control of host gene transcription. A number of studies have confirmed their contribution to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, but there is still a lack of data concerning systemic sclerosis (SSc). Their role in the pathogenesis of SSc can be hypothesised on the basis of mitochondrial and nuclear chromatinic damage, and hyper-activation of the immune pathway involved in antiviral defense. SSc is characterised by genetic and immunological evidence of a viral infection but, as no viral agent has yet been isolated from SSc patients, the hypothesis that partial reactivation of endogenous retroviruses may trigger the disease cannot be excluded and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Talotta
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Messina, Azienda Ospedaliera Gaetano Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100 Messina, Italy.
| | - Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini
- Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital ASST-Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Via G.B Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Fabiola Atzeni
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Messina, Azienda Ospedaliera Gaetano Martino, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100 Messina, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Toubi
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Technion, Haifa, Israel.
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