Parathyroid and autoimmunity

AIRE gene mutations and autoantibodies to interferon omega in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism without APECED

OBJECTIVE

To assess autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene mutations, class II HLA haplotypes, and organ- or non-organ-specific autoantibodies in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism (CH) without associated Addison's disease (AD) or chronic candidiasis (CC).

DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Twenty-four patients who had CH without AD or CC were included in the study. AIRE gene mutations in all 14 exons were studied using PCR in 24 patients, 105 healthy controls and 15 first-degree relatives of CH patients with AIRE mutations. Human leucocyte antigens (HLA) were determined for all 24 patients and 105 healthy controls. Autoantibodies to a range of antigens including NACHT leucine-rich-repeat protein-5 (NALP5) and interferon omega (IFNω) were tested in all 24 patients.

RESULTS

AIRE gene mutations were found in 6 of 24 (25%) patients, all females, and this was significantly higher (P < 0·001) compared with AIRE mutations found in healthy controls (2/105). Three patients (12·5%) had homozygous AIRE mutations characteristic of Autoimmune-Poly-Endocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal-Dystrophy and all three were also positive for IFNω-autoantibodies. Three patients (12·5%) had heterozygous AIRE mutations; two of these were novel mutations. One of the patients with heterozygous AIRE mutations was positive for both NACHT leucine-rich-repeat protein 5 and IFNω autoantibodies. Heterozygous AIRE mutations were found in 10 of 15 first-degree relatives of CH patients with AIRE mutations, although none was affected by CH. Class II HLA haplotypes were not statistically different in patients with CH compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of AIRE gene mutations together with serum autoantibody profile should be helpful in the assessment of patients with CH, in particular young women with associated autoimmune diseases.

Anti-parathyroid and anti-calcium sensing receptor antibodies in autoimmune hypoparathyroidism

The parathyroid glands are an infrequent target for autoimmunity, the exception being autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, in which autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is the rule. Antibodies that are directed against the parathyroid cell surface calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) have recently been recognized to be present in the serum of patients with autoimmune hypoparathyroidism. In some individuals, these anti-CaSR antibodies have also been shown to produce functional activation of the receptor, suggesting a direct pathogenic role in hypocalcemia. Additionally, a few hypercalcemic patients with autoimmune hypocalciuric hypercalcemia owing to anti-CaSR antibodies that inhibit receptor activation have now been identified. Other novel parathyroid autoantigens are starting to be elucidated, suggesting that new approaches to treatment, such as CaSR antagonists or agonists (calcilytics/calcimimetics), may be worthwhile.

Unravelling autoimmune pathogenesis by screening random peptide libraries with human sera

The incidence of autoimmunity is increasing worldwide. The long preclinical period of autoimmune disorders is characterised by an enhanced exposure over time of autoreactive T cells to an increased number of autoantigenic determinants and autoantibodies production. The discovery of novel autoimmune-disease related epitopes is a task that remains extremely challenging in order to establish predictive and preventive strategies of the disease onset. In this Opinion article we highlight the contribution of screening combinatorial random peptide libraries with patients sera in unravelling the etiopathogenesis of autoimmunity.