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Jiang J, Shu H, Wang DW, Hui R, Li C, Ran X, Wang H, Zhang J, Nie S, Cui G, Xiang D, Shao Q, Xu S, Zhou N, Li Y, Gao W, Chen Y, Bian Y, Wang G, Xia L, Wang Y, Zhao C, Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Wang J, Chen S, Jiang H, Chen J, Du X, Chen M, Sun Y, Li S, Ding H, Ma X, Zeng H, Lin L, Zhou S, Ma L, Tao L, Chen J, Zhou Y, Guo X. Chinese Society of Cardiology guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of adult fulminant myocarditis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:913-939. [PMID: 38332216 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Fulminant myocarditis is an acute diffuse inflammatory disease of myocardium. It is characterized by acute onset, rapid progress and high risk of death. Its pathogenesis involves excessive immune activation of the innate immune system and formation of inflammatory storm. According to China's practical experience, the adoption of the "life support-based comprehensive treatment regimen" (with mechanical circulation support and immunomodulation therapy as the core) can significantly improve the survival rate and long-term prognosis. Special emphasis is placed on very early identification,very early diagnosis,very early prediction and very early treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangang Jiang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hongyang Shu
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Rutai Hui
- Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Chenze Li
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xiao Ran
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Fuwai Huazhong Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Shaoping Nie
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guanglin Cui
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dingcheng Xiang
- Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, 510010, China
| | - Qun Shao
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Union Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ning Zhou
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Taida Hospital, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuguo Chen
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Yuan Bian
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Liming Xia
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chunxia Zhao
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yuhua Zhao
- Kanghua Hospital, Dongguan, Guangzhou, 523080, China
| | - Jianan Wang
- Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Shaoliang Chen
- Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianjin Du
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Wuhan, China
| | - Mao Chen
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, China
| | - Yinxian Sun
- First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hu Ding
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xueping Ma
- General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750003, China
| | - Hesong Zeng
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Li Lin
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shenghua Zhou
- The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Likun Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230002, China
| | - Ling Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Central Hospital of Wuhan City, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Yiwu Zhou
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaomei Guo
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
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Michail M, Zouvelou V, Belimezi M, Haroniti A, Zouridakis M, Zisimopoulou P. Analysis of nAChR Autoantibodies Against Extracellular Epitopes in MG Patients. Front Neurol 2022; 13:858998. [PMID: 35418927 PMCID: PMC8995881 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.858998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies targeting components of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), leading to neuromuscular transmission deficiency. In the vast majority of patients, these autoantibodies target the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a heteropentameric ion channel anchored to the postsynaptic membrane of the NMJ. Autoantibodies in patients with MG may target all the subunits of the receptor at both their extracellular and intracellular regions. Here, we combine immunoadsorption with a cell-based assay to examine the specificity of the patients' autoantibodies against the extracellular part of the nAChR. Our results reveal that these autoantibodies can be divided into distinct groups, based on their target, with probably different impacts on disease severity. Although our findings are based on a small sample group of patients, they strongly support that additional analysis of the specificity of the autoantibodies of patients with MG could serve as a valuable tool for the clinicians' decision on the treatment strategy to be followed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Michail
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Zouvelou
- Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Belimezi
- Diagnostic Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Haroniti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Zouridakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Zisimopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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3
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Mirian A, Nicolle MW, Edmond P, Budhram A. Comparison of fixed cell-based assay to radioimmunoprecipitation assay for acetylcholine receptor antibody detection in myasthenia gravis. J Neurol Sci 2021; 432:120084. [PMID: 34906880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare specificity and sensitivity of a commercially available fixed cell-based assay (F-CBA) to radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) for acetylcholine receptor antibody (anti-AChR) detection in myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS In this retrospective diagnostic cohort study we reviewed the clinical information of suspected MG patients evaluated at the London Health Sciences Centre MG clinic who had anti-AChR RIPA and then F-CBA performed, in order to classify them as MG or non-MG. Classification of each patient as anti-AChR F-CBA-negative/positive, RIPA-negative/positive, and MG/non-MG permitted specificity and sensitivity calculations for each assay. RESULTS Six-hundred-eighteen patients were included in study analysis. The median patient age at time of sample collection was 45.8 years (range: 7.5-87.5 years) and 312/618 (50.5%) were female. Of 618 patients, 395 (63.9%) were classified as MG. Specificity of both F-CBA and RIPA was excellent (99.6% vs. 100%, P > 0.99). One F-CBA-positive patient was classified as non-MG, although in retrospect ocular MG with functional overlay was challenging to exclude. Sensitivity of F-CBA was significantly higher than RIPA (76.7% vs. 72.7%, P = 0.002). Overall, 20/97 (21%) otherwise seronegative MG (SNMG) patients after RIPA evaluation had anti-AChR detected by F-CBA. CONCLUSIONS In our study anti-AChR F-CBA and RIPA both had excellent specificity, while F-CBA had 4% higher sensitivity for MG and detected anti-AChR in 21% of SNMG patients. Our findings indicate that F-CBA is a viable alternative to RIPA for anti-AChR detection. Prospective studies comparing F-CBA, RIPA and L-CBA are needed to determine optimal anti-AChR testing algorithms in MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ario Mirian
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael W Nicolle
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela Edmond
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adrian Budhram
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
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4
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Borges LS, Richman DP. Muscle-Specific Kinase Myasthenia Gravis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:707. [PMID: 32457737 PMCID: PMC7225350 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty to fifty percent of patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody (Ab)-negative myasthenia gravis (MG) have Abs to muscle specific kinase (MuSK) and are referred to as having MuSK-MG. MuSK is a 100 kD single-pass post-synaptic transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase crucial to the development and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. The Abs in MuSK-MG are predominantly of the IgG4 immunoglobulin subclass. MuSK-MG differs from AChR-MG, in exhibiting more focal muscle involvement, including neck, shoulder, facial and bulbar-innervated muscles, as well as wasting of the involved muscles. MuSK-MG is highly associated with the HLA DR14-DQ5 haplotype and occurs predominantly in females with onset in the fourth decade of life. Some of the standard treatments of AChR-MG have been found to have limited effectiveness in MuSK-MG, including thymectomy and cholinesterase inhibitors. Therefore, current treatment involves immunosuppression, primarily by corticosteroids. In addition, patients respond especially well to B cell depletion agents, e.g., rituximab, with long-term remissions. Future treatments will likely derive from the ongoing analysis of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease, including histologic and physiologic studies of the neuromuscular junction in patients as well as information derived from the development and study of animal models of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia S Borges
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David P Richman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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5
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Capsid-specific removal of circulating antibodies to adeno-associated virus vectors. Sci Rep 2020; 10:864. [PMID: 31965041 PMCID: PMC6972890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57893-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies directed against adeno-associated virus (AAV) are commonly found in humans. In seropositive subjects, vector administration is not feasible as antibodies neutralize AAV vectors even at low titers. Consequently, a relatively large proportion of humans is excluded from enrollment in clinical trials and, similarly, vector redosing is not feasible because of development of high-titer antibodies following AAV vector administration. Plasmapheresis has been proposed as strategy to remove anti-AAV antibodies from the bloodstream. Although safe and relatively effective, the technology has some limitations mainly related to the nonspecific removal of all circulating IgG. Here we developed an AAV-specific plasmapheresis column which was shown to efficiently and selectively deplete anti-AAV antibodies without depleting the total immunoglobulin pool from plasma. We showed the nearly complete removal of anti-AAV antibodies from high titer purified human IgG pools and plasma samples, decreasing titers to levels that allow AAV vector administration in mice. These results provide proof-of-concept of a method for the AAV-specific depletion of neutralizing antibodies in the setting of in vivo gene transfer.
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6
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Myasthenia Gravis: Pathogenic Effects of Autoantibodies on Neuromuscular Architecture. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070671. [PMID: 31269763 PMCID: PMC6678492 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Autoantibodies target key molecules at the NMJ, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), that lead by a range of different pathogenic mechanisms to altered tissue architecture and reduced densities or functionality of AChRs, reduced neuromuscular transmission, and therefore a severe fatigable skeletal muscle weakness. In this review, we give an overview of the history and clinical aspects of MG, with a focus on the structure and function of myasthenic autoantigens at the NMJ and how they are affected by the autoantibodies' pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the cells that are implicated in the production of the autoantibodies and briefly discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.
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7
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Noridomi K, Watanabe G, Hansen MN, Han GW, Chen L. Structural insights into the molecular mechanisms of myasthenia gravis and their therapeutic implications. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28440223 PMCID: PMC5404922 DOI: 10.7554/elife.23043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a major target of autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease that causes neuromuscular transmission dysfunction. Despite decades of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying MG have not been fully elucidated. Here, we present the crystal structure of the nAChR α1 subunit bound by the Fab fragment of mAb35, a reference monoclonal antibody that causes experimental MG and competes with ~65% of antibodies from MG patients. Our structures reveal for the first time the detailed molecular interactions between MG antibodies and a core region on nAChR α1. These structures suggest a major nAChR-binding mechanism shared by a large number of MG antibodies and the possibility to treat MG by blocking this binding mechanism. Structure-based modeling also provides insights into antibody-mediated nAChR cross-linking known to cause receptor degradation. Our studies establish a structural basis for further mechanistic studies and therapeutic development of MG. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23043.001 Myasthenia gravis is a disease that causes chronic weakness in muscles. It affects more than 20 in every 100,000 people and diagnosis is becoming more common due to increased awareness of the disease. However, most current treatments only temporarily relieve symptoms so there is a need to develop more effective therapies. The disease occurs when the immune system produces molecules called antibodies that bind to and destroy a receptor protein called nAChR. This receptor is normally found at the junctions between nerve cells and muscle cells, and its destruction disrupts communication between the nervous system and the muscle. However, it is not known exactly how these antibodies bind to nAChR, partly due to the lack of a detailed three-dimensional structure of the antibodies and nAChR together. The human nAChR protein is made up of several subunits, including one called alpha1 that is the primary target of Myasthenia gravis antibodies. Noridomi et al. used a technique known as X-ray crystallography to generate a highly detailed three-dimensional model of the structure of the alpha1 subunit with an antibody from rats that acts as in a similar way to human Myasthenia gravis antibodies. The structure reveals the points of contact between the antibodies and a core region of the nAChR alpha1 subunit and suggests that many different Myasthenia gravis antibodies may bind to nAChR in the same way. These findings may aid the development of drugs that bind to and disable Myasthenia gravis antibodies to relieve the symptoms of the disease. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23043.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Noridomi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Go Watanabe
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Melissa N Hansen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Gye Won Han
- Department of Chemistry, Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.,USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.,Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
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8
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Expression of extracellular domains of muscle specific kinase (MuSK) and use as immunoadsorbents for the development of an antigen-specific therapy. J Neuroimmunol 2014; 276:150-8. [PMID: 25262156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies against MuSK seem to be the pathogenic factor in approximately 5-8% of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. We aim to develop an antigen-specific therapy in which only MuSK antibodies will be removed from patients' plasma using MuSK extracellular domain (MuSK-ECD) as immunoadsorbent. We showed that two different immunoadsorbents, very efficiently and selectively depleted the MuSK antibodies from all tested sera, were stable during the procedure and were reusable. Furthermore, animal experiments showed that the treatment has no toxic effects to the animals. We conclude that the MuSK-ECD-mediated immunoadsorption can be used as an efficient antigen-specific therapy for MuSK-MG.
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10
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Huijbers MG, Lipka AF, Plomp JJ, Niks EH, van der Maarel SM, Verschuuren JJ. Pathogenic immune mechanisms at the neuromuscular synapse: the role of specific antibody-binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis. J Intern Med 2014; 275:12-26. [PMID: 24215230 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autoantibodies against three different postsynaptic antigens and one presynaptic antigen at the neuromuscular junction are known to cause myasthenic syndromes. The mechanisms by which these antibodies cause muscle weakness vary from antigenic modulation and complement-mediated membrane damage to inhibition of endogenous ligand binding and blocking of essential protein-protein interactions. These mechanisms are related to the autoantibody titre, specific epitopes on the target proteins and IgG autoantibody subclass. We here review the role of specific autoantibody-binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis, their possible relevance to the pathophysiology of the disease and potential implications of epitope mapping knowledge for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Huijbers
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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11
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Niarchos A, Zouridakis M, Douris V, Georgostathi A, Kalamida D, Sotiriadis A, Poulas K, Iatrou K, Tzartos SJ. Expression of a highly antigenic and native-like folded extracellular domain of the human α1 subunit of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, suitable for use in antigen specific therapies for Myasthenia Gravis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84791. [PMID: 24376846 PMCID: PMC3869910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the expression of the extracellular domain of the human α1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in lepidopteran insect cells (i-α1-ECD) and its suitability for use in antigen-specific therapies for Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Compared to the previously expressed protein in P. pastoris (y-α1-ECD), i-α1-ECD had a 2-fold increased expression yield, bound anti-nAChR monoclonal antibodies and autoantibodies from MG patients two to several-fold more efficiently and resulted in a secondary structure closer to that of the crystal structure of mouse α1-ECD. Our results indicate that i-α1-ECD is an improved protein for use in antigen-specific MG therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marios Zouridakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Douris
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Konstantinos Poulas
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- * E-mail: (SJT) (KP)
| | - Kostas Iatrou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Socrates J. Tzartos
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Department of Biochemistry, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- * E-mail: (SJT) (KP)
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12
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Caforio ALP, Pankuweit S, Arbustini E, Basso C, Gimeno-Blanes J, Felix SB, Fu M, Heliö T, Heymans S, Jahns R, Klingel K, Linhart A, Maisch B, McKenna W, Mogensen J, Pinto YM, Ristic A, Schultheiss HP, Seggewiss H, Tavazzi L, Thiene G, Yilmaz A, Charron P, Elliott PM. Current state of knowledge on aetiology, diagnosis, management, and therapy of myocarditis: a position statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases. Eur Heart J 2013; 34:2636-48, 2648a-2648d. [PMID: 23824828 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2027] [Impact Index Per Article: 184.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this position statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases an expert consensus group reviews the current knowledge on clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis, and proposes new diagnostic criteria for clinically suspected myocarditis and its distinct biopsy-proven pathogenetic forms. The aims are to bridge the gap between clinical and tissue-based diagnosis, to improve management and provide a common reference point for future registries and multicentre randomised controlled trials of aetiology-driven treatment in inflammatory heart muscle disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida L P Caforio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiological Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
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13
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Zisimopoulou P, Brenner T, Trakas N, Tzartos SJ. Serological diagnostics in myasthenia gravis based on novel assays and recently identified antigens. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:924-30. [PMID: 23537507 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most common immune-mediated disorder of the neuromuscular junction with a prevalence of 200-300/million population and its study has established paradigms for exploring other antibody-mediated diseases. Most MG patients (~85%) have autoantibodies against the muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR-MG), whereas about 6% of MG patients have autoantibodies against the muscle specific kinase (MuSK-MG). Until recently no autoantibodies could be detected in the remaining patients (seronegative MG). Probably, the most sensitive assays for the detection of the autoantibodies in MG sera have been the radioimmunoprecipitation assays (RIPA) for both types of MG. However, with recent novel methods, not yet used routinely, it has been shown that the "seronegative" MG group includes patients with low levels of autoantibodies or of low affinity, against the known autoantigens, or even with antibodies to recently identified autoantigens. Since MG is heterogeneous in terms of pathophysiology, depending on the autoantigen targeted and on other factors (e.g. presence of thymoma), the serological tests are crucial in verifying the initial clinical diagnosis, whereas frequent measurement of autoantibody levels is important in monitoring the course of the disease and the efficacy of treatment. In addition, in AChR-MG, autoantibodies against the muscle proteins titin and ryanodin receptor have been identified; these antibodies are useful for the classification of MG, indicating the concomitant presence of thymoma, and as prognostic markers.
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14
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Simon-Keller K, Barth S, Vincent A, Marx A. Targeting the fetal acetylcholine receptor in rhabdomyosarcoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 17:127-38. [PMID: 23231343 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.734500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and adolescence. Recent efforts to enhance overall survival of patients with clinically advanced RMS have failed and there is a demand for conceptually novel treatments. Immune therapeutic options targeting the fetal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (fnAChR), which is broadly expressed on RMS, are novel approaches to overcome the therapeutic resistance of RMS. Expression of the fnAChR is restricted to developing fetal muscles, some apparently dispensable ocular muscle fibers and thymic myoid cells. Therefore, after-birth fnAChR is a tumor-associated and almost tumor-specific antigen on RMS cells. AREAS COVERED This review gives an overview on nAChR function and expression pattern in RMS tumor cells, and deals with the immunological significance of fnAChR-expressing cells, including the risk of anti-nAChR autoimmunity as a potential side effect of fnAChR-directed immunotherapies. The article also addresses the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination strategies, immunotoxins and chimeric T cells targeting the fnAChR. EXPERT OPINION Finally, we suggest technical and biological strategies to improve the available immunotherapeutic tools including increasing the in vivo expression of the target fnAChR on RMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Simon-Keller
- University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Institute of Pathology, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68135 Mannheim, Germany.
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Caforio ALP, Marcolongo R, Jahns R, Fu M, Felix SB, Iliceto S. Immune-mediated and autoimmune myocarditis: clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. Heart Fail Rev 2012; 18:715-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s10741-012-9364-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Mantegazza R, Bonanno S, Camera G, Antozzi C. Current and emerging therapies for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2011; 7:151-60. [PMID: 21552317 PMCID: PMC3083988 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s8915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmmune disease in which autoantibodies to different antigens of the neuromuscular junction cause the typical weakness and fatigability. Treatment includes anticholinesterase drugs, immunosuppression, immunomodulation, and thymectomy. The autoimmune response is maintained under control by corticosteroids frequently associated with immunosuppressive drugs, with improvement in the majority of patients. In case of acute exacerbations with bulbar symptoms or repeated relapses, modulation of autoantibody activity by plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulins provides rapid improvement. Recently, techniques removing only circulating immunoglobulins have been developed for the chronic management of treatment-resistant patients. The rationale for thymectomy relies on the central role of the thymus. Despite the lack of controlled studies, thymectomy is recommended as an option to improve the clinical outcome or promote complete remission. New videothoracoscopic techniques have been developed to offer the maximal surgical approach with the minimal invasiveness and hence patient tolerability. The use of biological drugs such as anti-CD20 antibodies is still limited but promising. Studies performed in the animal model of MG demonstrated that several more selective or antigen-specific approaches, ranging from mucosal tolerization to inhibition of complement activity or cellular therapy, might be feasible. Investigation of the transfer of these therapeutic approaches to the human disease will be the challenge for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Mantegazza
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Deubner N, Berliner D, Schlipp A, Gelbrich G, Caforio ALP, Felix SB, Fu M, Katus H, Angermann CE, Lohse MJ, Ertl G, Störk S, Jahns R. Cardiac beta1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies in human heart disease: rationale and design of the Etiology, Titre-Course, and Survival (ETiCS) Study. Eur J Heart Fail 2010; 12:753-62. [PMID: 20494925 DOI: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Evidence for a pathophysiologic relevance of autoimmunity in human heart disease has substantially increased over the past years. Conformational autoantibodies stimulating the cardiac beta1-adrenoceptor (beta1-aabs) are considered of importance in heart failure development and clinical pilot studies have shown their prognostic significance in human 'idiopathic' cardiomyopathy. METHODS We recently developed a novel highly sensitive fluorescence-based functional assay to detect stimulating beta1-aabs. We will use this method to assess Etiology, Titre-Course, and effect on Survival (ETiCS) of beta1-aabs in a prospective multicentre study with serial follow-up of patients after a first acute myocarditis or myocardial infarction. Several European core laboratories will jointly study the hypothesis that both disorders may trigger autoimmune reactions leading to the generation of beta1-aabs and/or other heart-directed aabs. Further, sera from healthy controls and well-characterized patient cohorts with dilated, ischaemic, or hypertensive cardiomyopathy will be analysed retrospectively for beta1-aab prevalence, incidence, persistence, and/or clearance. CONCLUSION ETiCS is so far the largest clinical diagnostic study projected to address cardiac autoimmunity. It attempts to unravel the pathophysiology of cardiac autoantibody formation and persistence/clearance. ETiCS will enhance current knowledge on autoimmunity in human heart disease and promote endeavours to develop novel therapies targeting cardiac aabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas Deubner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Klinikstrasse 6-8, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
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Keefe D, Parng C, Lundberg D, Ray S, Martineau-Bosco J, Leng C, Tzartos S, Powell J, Concino M, Heartlein M, Lamsa J, Josiah S. In vitrocharacterization of an acetylcholine receptor–transferrin fusion protein for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Autoimmunity 2010; 43:628-39. [DOI: 10.3109/08916931003599070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Souroujon MC, Brenner T, Fuchs S. Development of novel therapies for MG: Studies in animal models. Autoimmunity 2010; 43:446-60. [DOI: 10.3109/08916930903518081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Lagoumintzis G, Zisimopoulou P, Kordas G, Lazaridis K, Poulas K, Tzartos SJ. Recent approaches to the development of antigen-specific immunotherapies for myasthenia gravis. Autoimmunity 2010; 43:436-45. [DOI: 10.3109/08916930903518099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Abstract
Current therapy for myasthenia gravis is directed towards generalized modulation and suppression of the immune system. These approaches have been extensively studied and are effective in many patients with myasthenia, but at the cost of significant adverse effects due to the global effects on the immune system. Future directions in therapy are geared towards focused immunotherapies that aim to improve outcomes while lessening the burden of side effects. This paper reviews both the current accepted treatments for myasthenia gravis as well as promising targeted therapies in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans D Katzberg
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Vera Bril
- University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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