Analysis of humoral immune responses to LM1 ganglioside in guinea pigs

Animal models and mechanisms of tobacco smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, and its global health burden is increasing. COPD is characterized by emphysema, mucus hypersecretion, and persistent lung inflammation, and clinically by chronic airflow obstruction and symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and fatigue in patients. A cluster of pathologies including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and cardiovascular disease in the form of hypertension and atherosclerosis variably coexist in COPD patients. Underlying causes for COPD include primarily tobacco use but may also be driven by exposure to air pollutants, biomass burning, and workplace related fumes and chemicals. While no single animal model might mimic all features of human COPD, a wide variety of published models have collectively helped to improve our understanding of disease processes involved in the genesis and persistence of COPD. In this review, the pathogenesis and associated risk factors of COPD are examined in different mammalian models of the disease. Each animal model included in this review is exclusively created by tobacco smoke (TS) exposure. As animal models continue to aid in defining the pathobiological mechanisms of and possible novel therapeutic interventions for COPD, the advantages and disadvantages of each animal model are discussed.

Anti-ganglioside Antibodies in Peripheral Nerve Pathology

Anti-ganglioside antibodies are principally associated with autoimmune peripheral neuropathies. In these disorders, immune attack is inadvertently directed at peripheral nerve by autoantibodies that target glycan structures borne by glycolipids, particularly gangliosides concentrated in nerve myelin and axons. The most thoroughly studied disorder is the acute paralytic disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in which IgG autoantibodies against gangliosides arise following acute infections, notably Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. Additionally, chronic autoimmune neuropathies are associated with IgM antibodies directed against many glycolipids including gangliosides. This introductory chapter briefly summarizes the immunological and pathological features of these disorders, focusing on the methodological development of antibody measurement and of animal models.

Glycoconjugates and neuroimmunological diseases

A wide range of neuroimmunological diseases affect the central and peripheral nervous systems. These disorders are caused by autoimmune attack directed against structurally and functionally diverse nervous system antigens. One such category comprises peripheral nervous system (PNS) diseases, termed peripheral neuropathies, in which the target antigens for autoantibody-directed nerve injury are glycan structures borne by glycoproteins and glycolipids, particularly gangliosides that are concentrated in peripheral nerve. The archetypal PNS disorder is the acute paralytic disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in which autoantibodies against glycolipids arise in the context of acute infections that precede the clinical onset, notably Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. In addition, several chronic autoimmune neuropathies are associated with IgM antibodies directed against nerve glycans including sulphated glucuronic acid epitopes present on myelin-associated glycoprotein and sulphated glucuronyl paragloboside, a range of disialylated gangliosides including GD1b and GD3, and GM1 ganglioside. This chapter describes the immunological, pathological and clinical features of these disorders in the context of our broader knowledge of the glycobiology underpinning this neuroimmunological field.

Autoantibodies in immune-mediated neuropathies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over the past 25 years, many autoantibodies directed against peripheral nerve glycan and protein antigens have been described. Principally through this area of research, significant advances have been achieved in the understanding of the pathophysiology of inflammatory neuropathies. More evidence constantly continues to emerge supporting the role of antibodies in pathogenesis. This review reports the recent studies highlighting the complex association between autoantibodies directed against various peripheral nerve antigens and immune polyneuropathies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The discovery of serum antibodies directed against ganglioside and glycolipid complexes has generated huge interest in this area of research. The expectation that nodal proteins are important targets continues to be pursued in line with the improvements in detection methodology. Basic studies continue to support a direct role for autoantibodies in neuropathy pathogenesis.

SUMMARY

Discovery of new target epitopes has not only raised hopes for further improvement in our understanding of pathophysiology and availability of new diagnostic markers, but also for future targeted therapies. Further studies are required to elucidate the precise pathological and clinical significance of these new antibodies.