A resposta imune dirigida a autoantígenos pode contribuir para a patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Porém, também é discutido o papel imunorregulador da autoimunidade em processos inflamatórios e na rejeição do aloenxerto. Nós pesquisamos os autoanticorpos IgG e IgM reativos a peptídeos da miosina cardíaca (MC) e da proteína de choque térmico 60 (Hsp60) no soro de indivíduos sadios (IS, n=30; 3 momentos com intervalos de 6 meses) e indivíduos transplantados cardíacos (Tx, n=65, > 2 amostras/indivíduo, de diferentes períodos Tx: pré-Tx, T1: < 1 ano, T2: 1 a 5 anos e T3: >5 anos), por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Todos os sujeitos do estudo tiveram anticorpos IgG ou IgM que reconheceram pelo menos um dos peptídeos avaliados. Os anticorpos IgG de indivíduos Tx reconheceram mais peptídeos do que dos IS, para a MC (12,2 ± 8,5, intervalo: 132 peptídeos versus 5,2 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-14; p<0,0001), e para a Hsp60 (6,0 ± 4,4, intervalo: 0-18 versus 3,9 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-12; p=0,0208). A frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgG foi maior no grupo Tx do que nos sadio (p<0,05), com reatividade para a maioria dos peptídeos da MC e da Hsp60. Em contraste, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgM foi maior no grupo de IS do que no Tx (p<0,05), principalmente para a reatividade dirigida aos peptídeos da MC. Os indivíduos do grupo Tx reconheceram todos os peptídeos da MC, inclusive alguns não reconhecidos pelos sadios (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). A variabilidade temporal da autoimunidade humoral aos peptídeos desses antígenos foi maior no grupo Tx (p<0,001), indicando maior estabilidade do perfil no estado fisiológico. No grupo Tx, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para anticorpos IgG e o número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de pré- Tx e T1 e na rejeição (p<0,05). Em contraste, para os anticorpos IgM, a frequência de indivíduos positivos e número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de T1, T2 e no momento sem rejeição (p<0,05). Em resumo, no estado fisiológico, observamos um predomínio de autoanticorpos dirigidos à MC e à Hsp60 do tipo IgM, enquanto que no período pré-Tx e durante a rejeição o predomínio foi de IgG. Com base nesses resultados, interpretamos que o ambiente inflamatório da doença cardíaca e da rejeição possa induzir uma maior expressão de Hsp60 e exposição da MC - decorrente da necrose de cardiomiócitos - a células do sistema imune. A resposta imune desencadeada, neste contexto, culminaria na mudança do isotipo IgM, predominante no estado fisiológico, para o isotipo IgG, predominante no quadro de inflamação. Em conclusão, identificamos um perfil distinto da autoimunidade humoral dirigida à miosina cardíaca e à Hsp60, no estado fisiológico e no transplante cardíaco. Novos estudos permitirão avaliar a atividade funcional desses autoanticorpos no enxerto e nas células do sistema imune, talvez desempenhando um papel na rejeição ou na manutenção da homeostase, no contexto fisiológico / The immune response directed to self antigens can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmunity may also have an immunoregulatory role in allograft rejection and in other inflammatory processes. We analyzed IgG and IgM autoantibodies reactive to peptides from the human cardiac myosin (CM) and the heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) in the sera of healthy individuals (HI, n=30, 3 time points with 6 month intervals) and heart transplant individuals (Tx, n=65, >2 samples/individual, from different Tx periods: pre-Tx, T1: <1 year post-Tx, T2: 1 to 5 years and T3: >5 years), by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All subjects from both groups had IgG or IgM antibodies that recognized at least one of peptides studied. The numbers of peptides recognized by IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in the HI, for CM (12.2 ± 8.5, range: 132 peptides versus 5.2 ± 3.0, range: 014 peptides; p <0.0001) and for Hsp60 (6.0 ± 4.4, range: 0-18 peptides versus 3.9 ± 3.0, range: 012 peptides; p=0.0208). The frequency of individuals displaying IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in HI (p<0.05), for both CM and Hsp60. In contrast, the frequency of individuals with IgM antibodies was higher in HI than in the Tx group (p<0.05), mainly for CM. The Tx individuals recognized all CM peptides, including those not recognized by healthy individuals (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). Time variability of humoral autoimmunity directed to peptides of both antigens was higher in the Tx group (p<0,001), indicating a more stable profile in the physiologic state. In the Tx group, the frequency of individuals with IgG autoantibodies and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the pre-Tx and T1 periods and during rejection (p<0.05). In contrast, for IgM antibodies, the frequency of individuals and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the T1, T2 and in the period with no rejection (p<0.05). In summary, IgM autoantibodies directed to CM and Hsp60 were predominant in the physiologic state, in contrast with the predominance of IgG autoantibodies in the pre-Tx period and during rejection. We suggest that the inflammatory environment found in both cardiac diseases and rejection favors the increase of Hsp60 expression and the exposure of cardiac myosin antigens due to cardiomyocyte necrosis. The immune response triggered in this context induces cell activation and isotype switch, from IgM, predominant in the physiologic state, to IgG, more detected in the inflammatory process. In conclusion, we identified a distinct profile of humoral autoimmunity to cardiac myosin and to Hsp60 in the physiologic state and in cardiac transplantation. Further studies will allow us to evaluate the functional activity of these antibodies in the graft and in cells of the immune system; they may have a role in rejection or in the maintenance of homeostasis, in the physiologic context.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Chronic hepatitis C has been associated with non-organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSA) production. Despite of increasing number of researches about this subject, there is no agreement among the authors of which autoantibodies are produced during combinated therapy of interferon and ribavirin or the clinical relevance of NOSA in patientâs organism. Our aim was to evaluate the profile of NOSA in patients with chronic hepatitis C who attended to Walter CantÃdio Hospital (HUWC) and received combinated antiviral therapy (interferon-ribavirin). A total of 34 patients with hepatitis C were studied. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (SMA), anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibody type 1 (LKM-1) and anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. The presence of NOSA was related to clinical and epidemiological variables and to the outcome of antiviral combination therapy with interferon-alfa and ribavirin. Patients were classified as nonresponders, relapsers or long-term responders depending on the outcome of treatment. In our study, before therapy, 23 patients were NOSA positive (SMA was detected in 6 patients, SMA and AMA in 10 and SMA, AMA and ANA in 7). On the 24th week of treatment, 24 patientes were NOSA positive (SMA was detected in 4 patients, SMA and AMA in 10, ANA and SMA in 1, ANA and AMA in 1 and SMA, AMA and ANA in 8). NOSA behavior did not show significant variation during treatment. The overall rate of long-term response was 26,5% (9/34). Long-term response occurred in 17,4% (4/23) of NOSA positive patients and 45,5% (5/11) of NOSA negative patients. Positivity of autoantibodies was not associated with gender, age, viral genotype or aminotransferase levels. In conclusion, ANA was the only NOSA associated with treatment outcome. The absence of NOSA might indicate a significantly higher chance for viral clearance in response to combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection. / A hepatite crÃnica pelo vÃrus C tem sido associada à produÃÃo de autoanticorpos nÃo-ÃrgÃo especÃficos (NOSA). Apesar do aumento do nÃmero de pesquisas nessa Ãrea, ainda nÃo existe um consenso entre quais autoanticorpos tÃm seus nÃveis elevados devido ao tratamento combinado de interferon e ribavirina, nem sua influÃncia no desfecho do mesmo ou a relevÃncia clÃnica da presenÃa desses autoanticorpos no organismo do pacientes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o perfil de NOSA em pacientes com hepatite C crÃnica atendidos no Hospital UniversitÃrio Walter CantÃdio (HUWC) e submetidos à terapia combinada de interferon-alfa e ribavirina. Para isso, um total de 34 pacientes com hepatite C foram estudados. Os anticorpos anti-nuclear (FAN), anti-mÃsculo liso (SMA), anti-microssomal de fÃgado e rim do tipo 1 (LKM-1) e anti-mitocÃndria (AMA) foram detectados atravÃs de imunofluorescÃncia indireta. A presenÃa de NOSA foi relacionada a variÃveis clÃnicas e epidemiolÃgicas e à resposta ao tratamento. Os pacientes foram classificados, em relaÃÃo à resposta ao tratamento, como nÃo respondedores, recidivantes ou respondedores (resposta virolÃgica sustentada). Em nosso estudo, 23 pacientes foram NOSA reagentes (SMA foi detectado em 6 pacientes, SMA e AMA em 10 e SMA, AMA e FAN em 7). Na 24 semana de tratamento, 24 pacientes foram NOSA reagentes (SMA foi detectado em 4 pacientes, SMA e AMA em 10, FAN e SMA em 1, FAN e AMA em 1 e SMA, AMA e FAN em 8). A variaÃÃo dos tÃtulos dos autoanticorpos durante o tratamento nÃo foi significativa. O percentual total de respondedores foi de 26,5% (9/34). A resposta virolÃgica sustentada foi obtida por 17,4% (4/23) dos pacientes NOSA reagentes e 45,5% (5/11) dos pacientes nÃo reagentes para NOSA. A presenÃa de autoanticorpos nÃo foi associada a gÃnero, idade, genÃtipo viral ou nÃveis de transaminases. Conclui-se que o FAN foi o Ãnico NOSA significativamente associado à resposta à terapia. A ausÃncia de NOSA indica uma tendÃncia à resposta virolÃgica sustentada no tratamento da hepatite C crÃnica.

Recentemente, estudos de Genome Wide Association (GWA) identificaram uma nova região cromossômica, 18q22, como de susceptibilidade ao Diabetes tipo 1 autoimune (DM1A). Nesta região localiza-se o gene CD226, responsável por codificar uma molécula de adesão leucocitária (CD226) envolvida no processo de adesão celular, diferenciação de células T CD4+ virgens, citotoxicidade induzida por células natural killer (NK) e produção de citocinas. Até o momento, apenas o polimorfismo rs763361 A/G foi relacionado ao diabetes autoimune e pouco é conhecido quanto ao envolvimento de outras variantes do CD226, associadas a outras doenças autoimunes, na patogênese do DM1A. Com o objetivo de definir as variantes polimórficas relacionadas à susceptibilidade ao DM1A, às suas características fenotípicas e outras manifestações de autoimunidade, 532 pacientes diabéticos tipo 1A e 594 controles normais foram envolvidos neste estudo. Inicialmente, em um subgrupo de 106 diabéticos e 102 controles, as regiões codificadoras e flanqueadoras do gene CD226, obtidas do DNA genômico de leucócitos do sangue periférico, foram amplificadas pela técnica de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase e submetidas à sequenciamento direto. Em uma segunda etapa, os polimorfismos rs763361, rs1788101 e rs727088 foram genotipados pelo ensaio TaqMan nos demais pacientes e controles. Resultados: foram identificadas 12 variantes no gene CD226, sete com frequência acima de 5%. Nenhuma variante nova foi encontrada. A variante rs727088 não estava em equilíbrio de Hardy Weinberg no grupo controle. Os genótipos AA da variante rs763361 e CC do rs727088 foram associados ao risco de DM1A e estavam em desequilíbrio de ligação. O genótipo do haplótipo ACAC, formado pelas variantes de risco, predominou nos pacientes diabéticos. Tanto o genótipo AA do rs763361 como o CC do rs727088 e o genótipo do haplótipo ACAC foram associados com menores valores de peptídeo C em pacientes com até dois anos de duração da doença. Nenhum polimorfismo influiu na presença de autoanticorpos pancreáticos e extra-pancreáticos. Conclusão: O genótipo AA da variante rs763361 do gene CD226 predispõe ao diabetes autoimune na nossa população, assim como a menores valores de Peptídeo C, contribuindo para a maior agressividade da doença. Dados da variante rs727088 devem ser analisados com cautela devido à falta de equilíbrio de Hardy Weinberg no grupo dos controles / Recently, Genome Wide Association (GWA) studies identified a new locus, 18q22, as a canditate to Type 1 A, or immune mediated diabetes (T1AD) susceptibility. This locus harbors the CD226 gene, responsible for encoding the leukocyte adhesion molecule (CD226) involved in cell adhesion, differentiation of naïve CD4+T cells, cytotoxicity induced by natural killer (NK) cells and cytokine production. Although just one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs763361 A/G had been related to T1AD, little is known about the involvement of new variants of CD226, implicated in other autoimmune disorders, in the pathogenesis of T1AD. In order to identify polymorphic variants related to T1AD susceptibility and their influences in phenotypic characteristics and other manifestations of autoimmunity, 532 type 1A diabetic patients and 594 health controls were enrolled in this study. Initially, in a subset of 106 diabetics and 102 controls, coding and flanking regions of CD226 gene obtained from genomic DNA extraction were amplified by polymerase chain reaction technique and subjected to direct sequencing. In a second step, the polymorphisms rs763361, rs727088 and rs1788101 were genotyped by TaqMan assay in the remaining patients and controls. Results: 12 variants in CD226 gene, seven of them with frequency above 5 % where identified. We did not found new variants. The variant rs727088 was not in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. The genotypes AA (OR=1.45; p=0.005) and CC (OR=1.41; p=0.01) related to rs763361 and rs727088 variants respectively, were associated with risk of T1AD. Both predominated in female (p<0.01). Further, these variants were in linkage disequilibrium. The genotype haplotype ACAC formed by the risk variants was more frequent in patients with diabetes (30.5% x 25.6%; OR=1.42; p=0.014). The AA genotype of rs763361, the CC genotype and ACAC genotype haplotype were associated with lower levels of C-peptide in patients with no more than two years of disease course. The presence of pancreatic and extra-pancreatic autoantibodies was not associated with CD226 SNPs. Conclusion: The AA genotype of rs763361 variant of the gene CD226 predisposes to autoimmune diabetes in our population, as well as to lower levels of C-peptide, contributing to the aggressiveness of the disease. It predominated in female. Data of rs727088 variant should be analyzed with caution due to the lack of Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the control group

Introdução: A infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) é uma epidemia que atinge mais de 170 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e freqüentemente associa-se a fenômenos de auto-imunidade. O papel dos alelos de HLA de classe II vem sendo estudado em diversas condições autoimunes. Objetivos: investigar a presença de auto-imunidade em portadores de VHC; realizar análise de HLA de classe II em portadores de VHC com e sem marcadores de auto-imunidade. Casuística e Métodos: obtiveram-se retrospectivamente os dados clínicos, laboratoriais, histológicos hepáticos de 1312 indivíduos com VHC, e definiu-se a presença de HAI associada segundo critérios adotados pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos da HAI (escore >= 10). Constituíram-se os subgrupos: VHC + HAI (n = 44); VHC + anticorpo antimicrossoma de fígado e rim tipo 1 (AAMFR-1) (n = 7); VHC+ anticorpo antimúsculo liso padrão tubular/antiactina (AAML-T/AAA) (n = 5) e controle de pacientes com VHC sem características de auto-imunidade (n = 29). A tipagem do HLA foi realizada em DNA leucócitário de sangue periférico, extraído pela técnica de DTAB/CTAB, seguido de SSCP com o kit Micro SSPTM HLA DNA Typing (One Lambda Inc., CA, USA). A análise estatística foi realizada com o teste de X2 de Pearson com correção de Yates ou teste exato de Fisher quando apropriado e nos casos de existência de associação foi calculado o coeficiente de Yule para quantificá-la. Resultados: observou-se no grupo VHC + HAI, em comparação com a casuística geral predominância de idade > 40 anos e níveis de ALT acima de três vezes o limite superior da normalidade, associação positiva com o HLADR4 (45,1% vs 3,4%, p = 0,0006, coeficiente de Yule = 0,92) e DQ3 (67,7% vs 37,9%, p = 0,04, coeficiente de Yule = 0,54) e associação negativa com o HLADR51 (9,6% vs 34,4%, p = 0,04, coeficiente de Yule = -0,66) e DR2 (9,6% vs 34,4%, p = 0,04, coeficiente de Yule = -0,66). Pacientes do grupo VHC + AAMFR-1 situaram-se em faixa etária inferior a 40 anos em relação ao grupo controle (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Idade superior a 40 anos, níveis de aminotransferases elevados caracterizam os pacientes com VHC e marcadores de auto-imunidade; níveis elevados de gamaglobulinas não são observados em portadores de VHC + HAI; o grupo VHC + AAMFR-1 manifesta a doença em faixa etária inferior a 40 anos; há associação positiva dos alelos HLA-DR4 e DQ3 e associação negativa dos alelos HLA-DR51 e DR2 com o grupo VHC + HAI; não foi possível estabelecer na população estudada semelhanças de marcadores imunogenéticos com os da HAI tipo 1 e 2, devido à baixa freqüência do AAA e AAMFR-1 na presente série. / Introduction: HCV chronic infection is an epidemic condition that affects more than 170 million of people around the world, and often is associated with autoimmunity phenomena. The role of HLA class II alleles has been studied in many autoimmune diseases. Aim: To investigate the presence of laboratory markers of autoimmunity and compatible anatomo pathologic histology for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in HCV patients; to perform HLA class II typing in HCV patients with and without autoimmunity markers. Material and Methods: Clinical, laboratory and liver histology data from 1312 HCV patients were obtained retrospectively. AIH was considered in association based on the International Group for the Study of AIH criteria score system (>= 10). The following groups were constituted: HCV + AIH (n = 44); HCV + anti-liver-kidney-microsome type 1 (LKM-1) (n = 7); HCV + antismooth muscle/anti-actin antibodies (SMA/AAA) (n = 5); control (HCV without autoimmunity) (n = 29). HLA typing was performed DNA extracted from leucocyte from periferic blood by DTAB/CTAB techniques, followed by SSCP with Micro SSPTM HLA DNA Typing kit (One Lambda Inc., CA, USA). Statistical analysis was performed with Pearson\'s X2 test, with Yates correction or Fisher exact test, when appropriated; when significant association was detected, Yule coefficient was calculated. Results: Age > 40 years old and ALT three times above upper normal limit predominated in the HCV + AIH group, when compared with the whole cohort (n = 1312). HLA typing in VHC+HAI group (n = 31) revealed positive association with HLA-DR4 (45.1% vs 3.4%, p = 0.0006, Yule = 0.92) and DQ3 (67.7% vs 37.9%, p = 0.04, Yule = 0.54) and negative association with HLA-DR51 (9.6% vs 34.4%, p = 0.04, Yule = -0.66) and DR2 (9.6% vs 34.4%, p = 0.04, Yule = -0.66), when compared with VHC control (n = 29). HCV + LKM-1 patients were younger than 40 years old at the time of initial disease manifestations (p = 0,001). Conclusion: Age above 40 years old, ALT levels three times upper the normal limit, but not gamma globulin levels, characterize HCV + AIH; HCV + LKM-1 patients manifest disease before 40 years old; HLA-DR4 and DQ3 allele have a positive association and HLA-DR51 and DR2 have a negative association with the HCV + AIH group. It was not possible to establish immunogenetic markers of AIH type 1 and 2 because of low frequency of SMA and AAA in this series.

Le cancer du sein demeure un problème de santé publique majeure dans le monde. Afin d'améliorer les chances de survie et la qualité de vie des femmes, il est nécessaire d’effectuer le diagnostic à un stade précoce et d’appliquer le traitement. Dans ce contexte, un des objectifs de cette thèse est de développer des puces à protéines pour le diagnostic et le pronostic du cancer du sein. Parmi les nombreux marqueurs biologiques potentiels, des recherches récentes ont montré que des anticorps anti-heat shock proteins (anti-HSPs) sont associés à la genèse tumorale. Ces anticorps seraient donc de bons biomarqueurs diagnostiques et pronostiques pour le cancer du sein. Par conséquent, nous avons élaboré une puce à antigènes afin de détecter les anticorps anti-HSP dans le sérum de 50 patients atteints de cancer du sein et de 26 témoins sains. Nos résultats indiquent clairement que la la détection multiplex d’une combinaison d'anticorps anti-HSP permet de discriminer les patients atteints de cancer du sein des témoins sains avec une sensibilité de 86% et une spécificité de 100%. Ensuite, nous avons élaboré une puce à anticorps pour doser la concentration de l'activateur du plasminogène de type urokinase (uPA) et de son inhibiteur principal (PAI-1) dans 16 extraits cytosoliques de tissus tumoraux. uPA et PAI-1 sont décrits comme étant de bons biomarqueurs pronostiques et prédictifs du cancer du sein. De faibles taux de uPA (≤3 ng / mg de protéine) et PAI-1 (≤14 ng / mg de protéine) sont associés à un faible risque de récidive et pas de bénéfice d’une chimiothérapie pour les patients atteints de cancer du sein. Les résultats obtenus à partir de puces à anticorps étaient surface dépendante par rapport aux résultats obtenus sous forme ELISA. En outre, l'utilisation de nos puces à anticorps nécessite 25 fois moins de volume d'échantillon par rapport à un dosage ELISA, résolvant ainsi les principales limites de la méthode ELISA. Enfin, nous avons déterminé et optimisé les paramètres influençant les performances des puces à protéines, comme par exemple la chimie de surface, la durée expérimentale, la concentration des solutions, etc. Nous avons également étudié les conditions de stockage à la fois pour des surfaces chimiquement fonctionnalisées et pour les puces à protéines. Les résultats ont montré que les puces à protéines conservent leur activité biologique jusqu’à trois mois de stockage. / Breast cancer becomes the most common cancer among women. In order to improve women's chances of survival and life quality, to be diagnosed at an early stage and to receive correct treatment are the most promising ways. In this context, we aim at developing an antigen microarray for screening serological biomarkers to diagnose breast cancer patients as early as possible. Among numerous potential biomarkers, recent researches showed that antibodies against heat shock proteins (HSPs) are associated with tumor genesis and would be good diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for breast cancer. Therefore, we used customized antigen microarray to screen anti-HSP antibodies in 50 breast cancer patients and 26 healthy controls. Our results indicated clearly that combining multiplex detection of anti-HSPs antibodies could discriminate breast cancer patients from healthy controls with sensitivity 86% and specificity 100%. Then, we elaborated an antibody microarray to detect the concentration of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) in 16 cytosolic extracts of breast tummor tissue. uPA is good prognostic and predictive biomarker for breast cancer, low levels of uPA (≤3 ng/mg of protein) is associated with low risk of recurrence and no benefit of chemotherapy for breast cancer patients, and vice versa. Our results showed that the results obtained from our antibody microarray were surface dependent compared with the results obtained from ELISA. Furthermore, the use of our antibody microarray requires 25 times less sample volume compared with ELISA kit, thus solving the main limitations of ELISA. Finally, we determined and optimized the parameters which affected the performances of protein microarray, e.g. microarray surface chemistry, experimental duration, the concentration of solutions, etc. Furthermore, we studied the storage conditions for both chemically functionalized microarray surface as well as printed protein microarray. Results showed that our protein microarrays retain efficient biological activity for at least 3 month of storage.

Abstract Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease with numerous genes and environmental factors affecting its intiation and progression. During the past years many candidate genes for atherosclerosis have been suggested, and it has also become evident that the immune system plays a part in atherogenesis. Early atherosclerotic changes can be effectively detected by measuring carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). In the present study the associations between IMT and polymorphisms of three candidate genes for atherosclerosis were studied: endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), apolipoprotein E (apoE) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1). To assess the role of immunological factors determining carotid atherosclerosis, CRP and circulating autoantibodies to oxidised LDL were studied in relation to IMT. The study population consisted of 519 hypertensive and 526 control subjects from a middle-aged population in Oulu, Finland. The results showed that the investigated polymorphisms of eNOS and PON1 genes were not associated with IMT, suggesting that these polymorphisms are not major risk factors for atherosclerosis in the general Caucasian population. A significant interaction between the apoE polymorphism and smoking in relation to IMT was observed among men, indicating that carriers of the ε4 allele may be particularly prone to the atherogenic effects of smoking. This interaction was especially clear in hypertensive subjects. CRP was strongly associated with IMT before adjusting for confounding factors. After the adjustment, this association diasppeared. The finding suggests that instead of early atherosclerosis CRP may be related to the later phases of the disease. This may partly explain the strong correlation between CRP and future cardiovascular events. IgM type of autoantibodies binding to oxidised LDL were inversely associated with IMT, and this finding remained after adjusting for previously known risk factors for atherosclerosis, implying a possible protective role for these antibodies in atherogenesis.

Das La-Protein wurde als Autoantigen bei Autoimmunpatienten, die an SLE oder Sjögren-Syndrom erkrankt sind, entdeckt. Es kommt in phosphorylierter Form im Zellkern aller Eukaryonten vor und nimmt Aufgaben bei der Faltung, Prozessierung und nukleären Retention von RNA-Polymerase III-Transkripten wahr. Unter normalen zellulären Bedingungen ist das La-Protein außerdem in der Lage, zwischen Zellkern und Zytoplasma zu pendeln. Bei Zellstress, der nach UV-Exposition oder während einer viralen Infektion entsteht, wird das Protein verstärkt im Zytoplasma beobachtet, wo es an der Cap-unabhängigen Translation zellulärer und ggf. viraler Proteine beteiligt ist. Wird in der Zelle daraufhin Apoptose induziert, so ist das La-Protein auf der Zellmembran bzw. in apoptotischen Körperchen nachweisbar. Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung verschiedener monoklonaler anti-La-Antikörper. Einige wenige konnten durch wiederholte Immunisierung von Mäusen mit rhLa-Protein generiert werden. Im Gegensatz dazu resultierte die einmalige Übertragung von gegen das hLa-Protein aktivierten CD4+ T-Zellen auf eine hLaTg-Maus in der Gewinnung mehrerer La-spezifischer Antikörper. Die Sequenzanalyse der Gene, die für die variablen Antikörperdomänen codieren, bestätigte, dass es sich um individuell rekombinierte und hypermutierte Immunglobuline handelt. Die Antikörper zeichneten sich außerdem durch unterschiedliche Eigenschaften bei der Bindung von humanem und murinem La-Protein in der Immunfluoreszenz, im Immunoblot oder während der Immunpräzipitation aus. Für die IgG-Antikörper konnten die Epitopbereiche innerhalb des La-Proteins eingegrenzt werden. Auffällig waren die kurzen linearen Peptidepitope, die von den auf konventionelle Art erzeugten Antikörpern gebunden wurden. Hingegen erkannten alle Antikörper, die aus dem adoptiven T-Zell-Transfer hervorgegangen waren, Konformationsepitope. Darüber hinaus wurde gezeigt, dass einige mAks aber auch anti-La-Patientenseren die reduzierte von der oxidierten Form des La-Proteins unterscheiden können. Unerwartet ist die Erkenntnis, dass sich offensichtlich zahlreiche B-Zellen mit anti-La-Spezifität von wenigen variablen Ketten ableiten und dass diese bei einer herkömmlichen Immunisierung entweder nicht aktiviert werden (und deshalb nicht in der Milz zu finden sind) oder sogar eliminiert werden. Der Import des La-Proteins in den Zellkern wird durch die klassischen Transportmoleküle Karyopherin-α und Karyopherin–β vermittelt. Für den Shuttlingprozess muss das Protein auch wieder aus dem Kern exportiert werden. Da es kontroverse Daten bezüglich eines Crm1-abhängigen Kernexports gab, wurde das Shuttlingverhalten von GFP-La-Fusionsproteinen in dieser Arbeit genauer analysiert. Mit Hilfe von Heterokaryonexperimenten konnte bestätigt werden, dass sowohl das hLa- als auch das mLa-Protein zwischen humanen und murinen Zellkernen pendeln kann und dass der Export unabhängig von Crm1 stattfindet. Aufgrund der kurzen Verweildauer im Zytoplasma schienen die Proteine quantitativ im Zellkern vorzuliegen, doch ein Teil konnte stets in den im Heterokaryon enthaltenen Nachbarzellkernen detektiert werden. Die Verwendung von N-terminal deletierten La-Fragmenten, die alle über das C-terminale NLS verfügten, gab Aufschluss über die Regulation des Shuttlings. Es zeigte sich, dass die Menge des exportierten Proteins von einem nukleären Retentionspartner festgelegt wird, der das La-Protein bindet und dadurch im Zellkern festhält. Wird diese Assoziation aufgehoben, gelangt das La-Protein in das Zytoplasma. Dort ist es allerdings nicht detektierbar, da das NLS einen umgehenden Import zurück in den Zellkern hervorruft. Zusätzlich wurde die Auswirkung von zellulärem Stress (z. B. durch ROS) auf die intrazelluläre Lokalisation des Proteins untersucht. Unter oxidativen zellulären Bedingungen wird einerseits die Wechselwirkung mit dem nukleären Retentionspartner aufgehoben und andererseits findet kein Kernimport über Karyopherin-α mehr statt. Aus diesem Grund reichert sich das La-Protein nun verstärkt im Zytoplasma an. Darüber hinaus wurde nachgewiesen, dass das La-Protein von apoptotischen Zellen freigesetzt wird und daraufhin auf die Membran von Nachbarzellen binden kann. Die Bindungs-eigenschaften wurden mit rhLa-Protein genauer untersucht. Das La-Protein war auf Endothel- und Epithelzellen nachweisbar und die Bindung fand sowohl bei Inkubation auf Eis als auch bei 37 °C statt. Da das La-Protein auch über DNA-Bindungseigenschaften verfügt, war es in der Lage, DNA auf der Zelloberfläche zu immobilisieren. Innerhalb von PBMCs wurde es selektiv auf Antigen-präsentierenden Zellen nachgewiesen. Diese Eigenschaften lassen eine Beteiligung des Proteins bei der Induktion von anti-dsDNA-Antikörpern in Autoimmunpatienten vermuten. Es ist bekannt, dass die Bedingungen (Virusinfektion, UV-Exposition), die zur Translokation des La-Proteins auf die Zelloberfläche führen, bei SLE-Patienten Krankheitsschübe auslösen können. Bisher wurden anti-La-Autoantikörper aber eher nicht als pathophysiologisch erachtet, da sie bei der Bindung an bereits apoptotische Zellen keine weiteren Schäden verursachen können. Jedoch wurde in dieser Arbeit gezeigt, dass das La-Protein apoptotischer Zellen auf der Oberfläche von lebenden Zellen in der Umgebung nachgewiesen werden kann. Daran könnten anti-La-Autoantikörper binden und eine Komplement- oder NK-Zell-vermittelte Zerstörung der Nachbarzellen hervorrufen. Dadurch entstehen zusätzliche Gewebeschäden. Im Chromfreisetzungstest waren NK-Zellen tatsächlich in der Lage, La-dekorierte Zielzellen Antikörper-abhängig zu lysieren, sofern zusätzliche in vitro Stimuli präsent waren, die z. B. eine virale Infektion simulierten. Die Immuntherapie von Tumoren ist auf bestimmte Zielstrukturen auf den Tumorzellen angewiesen, über welche die Wirkstoffe spezifisch zu den maligne transformierten Zellen gebracht werden. Die Therapeutika, die sich oft von mAks gegen diese Zielstrukturen ableiten, müssen für verschiedene Tumorarten individuell entwickelt werden. Da das La-Protein von apoptotischen Zellen freigesetzt wird und auf die Membran benachbarter (bestrahlungsresistenter) Zellen binden kann, ist es in Kombination mit einer vorangegangenen Bestrahlung als universelle Zielstruktur für die Immuntherapie nutzbar. Aus diesem Grund wurde unter Verwendung eines ausführlich in dieser Arbeit charakterisierten anti-La-Antikörpers ein rekombinantes bispezifisches Antikörperderivat entwickelt. Es ist in der Lage, das La-Protein auf der Oberfläche von Tumorzellen zu binden und auf diesen zytotoxische T-Lymphozyten zu immobilisieren. Durch die Quervernetzung werden die T-Lymphozyten aktiviert und induzieren in den Zielzellen Apoptose. Das neue Antikörperderivat verspricht eine vielseitige Anwendung in Kombination mit Strahlentherapie oder auch mit rekombinanten Antikörpermolekülen, die gegen spezifische Zielstrukturen auf den Tumorzellen gerichtet sind.

Background: In recent years mechanical circulatory assist devices became an established option in bridging patients with refractory heart failure to heart transplantation. One of the alleged limitations of mechanical devices is a high degree of antibody production with possible deleterious effect on subsequent heart transplantation outcome. Aim: The main goal of this study is to assess the role of antibodies on the outcome of surgical treatment of patients with end- stage heart failure. Method: Firstly, we present a literature review on the current state of knowledge of possible immunologic mechanisms involved in antibody production in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients, new methods of antibody detection, desensitization strategies and overview of published evidence assessing the impact of sensitization on post-transplantation outcome. In the experimental part of our study we prospectively evaluated the presence of anti-Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor (AT1R) antibodies in 83 Heart Mate II (HMII) recipients who were implanted at our institution between 2008 and 2012 and survived the first 60 days. On-device survival and device malfunction, major infection, major bleeding and neurologic dysfunction were compared between antibody positive and antibody negative recipients. Out of a total...

The second meeting for the International Consensus on Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Pattern (ICAP) was held on 22 September 2015, one day prior to the opening of the 12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies in Dresden, Germany. The ultimate goal of ICAP is to promote harmonization and understanding of autoantibody nomenclature, and thereby optimizing ANA usage in patient care. The newly developed ICAP website www.ANApatterns.org was introduced to the more than 50 participants. This was followed by several presentations and discussions focusing on key issues including the two-tier classification of ANA patterns into competent-level versus expert-level, the consideration of how to report composite versus mixed ANA patterns, and the necessity for developing a consensus on how ANA results should be reported. The need to establish on-line training modules to help users gain competency in identifying ANA patterns was discussed as a future addition to the website. To advance the ICAP goal of promoting wider international participation, it was agreed that there should be a consolidated plan to translate consensus documents into other languages by recruiting help from members of the respective communities.

Testing for autoantibodies (AABs) is becoming more and more relevant, not only for diagnosing autoimmune diseases (AIDs) but also for the differentiation of defined AID subtypes with different clinical manifestations, course and prognosis as well as the very early diagnosis for adequate management in the context of personalized medicine. A major challenge to improve diagnostic accuracy is to harmonize or even standardize AAB analyses. This review presents the results of the 12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies that focused on several aspects of improving autoimmune diagnostics. Topics that are addressed include the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) and the International Autoantibody Standardization (IAS) initiatives, the optimization of diagnostic algorithms, the description and evaluation of novel disease-specific AABs as well as the development and introduction of novel assays into routine diagnostics. This review also highlights important developments of recent years, most notably the improvement in diagnosing and predicting the course of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and of autoimmune neurological, gastrointestinal and liver diseases; the potential diagnostic role of anti-DFS70 antibodies and tumor-associated AABs. Furthermore, some hot topics in autoimmunity regarding disease pathogenesis and management are described.