Bioinformatic and immunological analysis reveals lack of support for measles virus related mimicry in Crohn's disease

Unraveling the intricate dance of the Mediterranean diet and gut microbiota in autoimmune resilience

The nutritional habits regulate the gut microbiota and increase risk of an autoimmune disease. Western diet is rich in sugars, meat, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which lead to dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, disruption of gut epithelial barrier and chronic mucosal inflammation. In contrast, the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is abundant in ω3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables, possessing anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the restoration of gut eubiosis. Numerous studies have extensively examined the impact of MedDiet and its components on both health and various disease states. Additionally, specific investigations have explored the correlation between MedDiet, microbiota, and the risk of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the MedDiet has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, playing a pivotal role in lowering mortality rates among individuals with autoimmune diseases and comorbidities. The aim of the present review is to specifically highlight current knowledge regarding possible interactions of MedDiet with the patterns of intestinal microbiota focusing on autoimmunity and a blueprint through dietary modulations for the prevention and management of disease's activity and progression.

A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis

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.

Molecular mimicry, inflammatory bowel disease, and the vaccine safety debate

Preventive immunization has provided one of the major advances in population health during the past century. However, a surprising cultural phenomenon is the emergence of concerns about immunization safety, in part due to prominently controversial biomedical studies. One ongoing theoretical safety concern is the possibility of human molecular mimicry by measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) antigens. The study of Polymeros et al. in this BMC Medicine presents a systematic evaluation and refutation of this safety concern. This provides significant new scientific evidence in support of the safety of pediatric vaccines, which will inform the ongoing policy and cultural understanding of this important public health measure.