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Cancer and autoimmunity: autoimmune and rheumatic features in patients with malignancies.

OBJECTIVES: To review the autoimmune and rheumatic manifestations of patients with malignancy. METHODS: A Medline search of all published papers using keywords related to malignancies, autoimmunity, rheumatic diseases, and paraneoplastic syndromes. RESULTS: Patients with malignant diseases may develop autoimmune phenomena and rheumatic diseases as a result of (a) generation of autoantibodies against various autoantigens, including oncoproteins (P185, 1-myc, c-myc, c-myb), tumour suppression genes (P53), proliferation associated antigens (cyclin A, B1, D1, E; CENP-F; CDK, U3-RNP), onconeural antigens (Hu, Yo, Ri, Tr), cancer/testis antigens (MAGE, GAGE, BAGE, SSX, ESO, SCP, CT7), and rheumatic disease associated antigens (RNP, Sm). The clinical significance of the various autoantibodies is not clear. Anti-oncoprotein and anti-tumour suppression gene antigens are detected before the diagnosis of the cancer or in the early stages of the malignant disease, suggesting a potential diagnostic or prognostic role. Anti-onconeural antibodies are pathogenic and are associated with specific clinical neurological syndromes (anti-Hu syndrome and others). (b) Paraneoplastic syndromes, a wide range of clinical syndromes, including classic autoimmune rheumatic diseases that develop among patients with cancer. (c) Rheumatism after chemotherapy, a clinical entity characterised by the development of musculoskeletal symptoms after combination chemotherapy for malignancy. CONCLUSION: Autoimmune and rheumatic features are not rare among patients with malignancies. They are the result of various diverse mechanisms and occasionally they may be associated with serious clinical entities.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Mercury-induced autoimmune glomerulonephritis in inbred rats. I. Kinetics and species specificity of autoimmune responses.

The nephropathy observed in rats after administration of mercuric chloride can be used to clarify the mechanisms underlying renal autoimmunity induced by chemicals. As a necessary preliminary step in the study of this animal model, we have investigated the kinetics and species-specificity of autoimmune responses to renal antigens. By a recently developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), circulating autoantibodies to the glomerular basement membrane of the kidney (anti-GBM) have been detected within 8 days after the initiation of mercuric chloride treatment. Anti-GBM antibodies reach a peak by 15 days and then decrease rapidly in the following 2 weeks. Extensive cross-reactions between rat and human GBM antigens have been detected by ELISA, indicating a high degree of conservation of some renal autoantigens and suggesting certain similarities between the autoimmune response induced in rats by mercuric chloride and that observed in human glomerulonephritis caused by anti-GBM. Dose-response studies have been performed to ascertain whether anti-GBM responses are correlated with massive kidney damage and release of renal antigens. We have noted that a wide range of levels of mercuric chloride are capable of stimulating the production of anti-GBM and that animals receiving this chemical in as low a concentration as 0.02 mg/100 g body weight (i.e. a dose ten times lower than those causing massive nephrotoxic effects) still have anti-GBM specifically bound to their kidneys. Thus, it is possible that the administration of mercury compounds to BN rats results in kidney autoimmunity not only because of the release of renal autoantigens, but also through the activation of specific lymphocytes and/or disruption of regulatory networks. Finally, we have observed that both BN and MAXX rats produce anti-GBM after mercuric chloride treatment, while M520 rats do not. Since the MAXX strain was initially obtained from a cross of BN and Lewis rats and shares antigens of the major histocompatibility complex with the BN strain, our findings stress the importance of genetic factors in chemical-induced autoimmunity and suggest that a similar situation may occur in human subjects exposed to environmental chemicals.

Animals↗

Progression of autoimmune diabetes: slowly progressive insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or latent autoimmune diabetes of adult.

Autoimmune diabetes is due to destruction of insulin-secreting beta islet cells by an immune-mediated process, which is induced and promoted by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. This form of diabetes is one of a group of autoimmune diseases that affect about 10% of the population in the developed world. The detection of diabetes-associated autoantibodies, including glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), islet cell antibodies (ICA), and insulinoma-associated (IA-2) autoantibodies is widely held to reflect an underlying autoimmune pathology but the clinical features associated with the presence of these diabetes-associated autoantibodies is highly variable ranging from lack of symptoms with normal glucose tolerance to catastrophic and potentially fatal diabetic ketoacidosis. It is the purpose of this article to establish the range of metabolic features associated with diabetes-associated autoimmune changes and discuss how this metabolic spectrum itself reflects a spectrum of immune and clinical changes that cast light on the nature of autoimmune diabetes.

Adult↗

Studies on autoimmunity for initiation of beta-cell destruction. VII. Evidence for antigenic changes on beta-cells leading to autoimmune destruction of beta-cells in BB rats.

The diabetic syndrome in BioBreeding (BB) rats is believed to result from the destruction of beta-cells by autoimmune responses. However, the initial events that cause the autoimmune destruction of beta-cells remain largely unknown. This investigation was initiated to see whether there are any antigenic changes on the beta-cells from neonatal to adult BB rats that may lead to the autoimmune destruction of beta-cells. Pancreatic grafts from neonatal BB rats remained largely intact without insulitis when transplanted into the renal subcapsular space of acutely diabetic BB rats. Similarly transplanted islet grafts from neonatal BB rats were also not subject to autoimmune destruction. In contrast, islet grafts obtained from adult BB rats, which had been treated with silica to prevent insulitis, were rapidly destroyed in diabetic recipients. These results indicate that beta-cells from neonatal BB rats are different from beta-cells from adult BB rats, at least regarding their recognition by immunologic effectors. Considering our observations and previous information on the initial role of macrophages/dendritic cells in the development of insulitis in BB rats, we suggest that beta-cell-specific antigenic changes that precede insulitis may result in the autoimmune destruction of beta-cells in BB rats.

Aging↗

[Autoimmunization and autoimmune diseases].

Autoimmunization is understood as a type of immune reactions to the unchanged autoantigens only. Autoimmune processes can be subdivided into the physiological ("sanitary" and regulatory) and pathological ones. Physiological processes are of importance in supporting natural immunological tolerance while pathological processes develop on the basis of the physiological ones in presence of various defects of suppressive mechanisms of the immune system. Pathological processes are the basis of the autoimmune diseases and diseases with secondary autoimmune disturbances. The distinction between organo-specific and organo-nonspecific autoimmune diseases can be taken as their preliminary tentative classification.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

[Virus and autoimmune disease. An excursion exemplified by autoimmune hepatitis].

At least since the discovery of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the "human immune deficiency virus" (HIV) it has been widely accepted, that viruses infect lymphocytes (mainly especially CD 4 positive helper lymphocytes) and can also be responsible for their deletion. However, since the HIV can only be found in a small proportion of the dying lymphocytes, other viruses as well as other (nonviral) cytotoxic agents and mechanisms must be taken into consideration. The conception of involved autoimmune phenomena is being accepted increasingly. Storch's hypothesis put forward in 1975, of primary or secondary viral infection of lymphocytes as pathogenetical principle of autoimmune hepatitis (infected B- and T-lymphocytes stimulate directly or indirectly the antibody synthesis and also trigger abnormal cellular immune reactions) was confirmed. Teleologically regarded, in most cases it remains open if the demonstrable autoantibodies and immune cells are pathogenic, protective, or indifferent for the individual. Analogous to symbiosis and parasitism, this postulate can be extended to pathogenic viral infections. Assuming that the human organism is anxious to remain unharmed and, like viruses maintain its adaptability by a system of multiform control systems one can imagine, that the autoimmunity induced by and therefore directed primarily against viruses can be regarded as "physiological", thus representing a protective mechanism against disturbing exogenous and endogenous factors. It can be considered part of the "prophylaxien" (Holle, 1989). Likewise, in autoimmune hepatitis as well, new findings speak for a participation of several (various) viruses in its aetiopathogenesis. It is hypothesized, that so-called "autogenes" exist which lead to autoimmune disease (like oncogenes involved in the pathogenesis of malignancies).

Autoantibodies↗

Characteristic T helper 2 T cell cytokine abnormalities in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, a syndrome marked by defective apoptosis and humoral autoimmunity.

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is marked by massive lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, autoimmunity and the presence of increased numbers of circulating and tissue TCR-alpha beta, CD4- CD8- T cells. The underlying defect is that of decreased T cell and B cell apoptosis, due in most, but not all, cases to heterozygous mutations of the Fas gene and corresponding defective Fas signaling function. Here we measure in vivo and in vitro cytokine secretion in ALPS to shed light on the relation of apoptosis defects to the development of autoimmunity. In in vivo studies, ALPS patients manifested greatly increased circulating levels of IL-10 (> 100-fold), compared with both healthy individuals and various disease controls; in contrast, their levels of IL-1 beta, IL-4, and IFN-gamma were normal and their levels of IL-2 and TNF-alpha were marginally increased. In parallel in vitro studies, ALPS patients CD4+ DR+ T cells stimulated either with anti-CD3/CD28 or anti-CD2/CD28 produced increased amounts of IL-4 and IL-5 (10 to 20-fold) and decreased amounts of IFN-gamma (4-fold) as compared with those of control CD4+ DR+ T cells. In contrast, ALPS patients' CD4-/CD8- T cells produced very low amounts of cytokines. Finally, ALPS patients' peripheral monocytes/macrophages produced decreased amounts of IL-12 (30-fold) and increased amounts of IL-10 (5-fold). In conclusion, ALPS is marked by the presence of DR+ T cells that exhibit a skewed Th2 cytokine response upon various forms of stimulation. This cytokine response, in the presence of increased circulating IL-10 levels, is likely to define the cytokine milieu that accounts for the humoral autoimmune features of ALPS and, perhaps, of other humoral autoimmune states.

Adolescent↗

[Adult-onset latent autoimmune diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and thyroid autoimmunity. METHODS: The frequency of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab) was determined with radioimmunoassay in 394 subjects, including 90 LADA, 104 classic type 1 diabetics (T1DM), 100 type 2 diabetics (T2DM) and 100 controls. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GAD-Ab) was measured with radioligand immunoassay. RESULTS: (1) TPO-Ab existed more frequently in LADA (16.7%, 15/90) than in T2DM patients (7.0%, 7/100; P < 0.05). The frequency of thyroid antibody (TPO-Ab or TG-Ab positivity) in LADA and T1DM was 18.9% (17/90) and 25.0% (26/104) respectively, being higher than that in the control group (8/100, 8.0%; P < 0.05). (2) Thyroid antibodies occurred more frequently in LADA patients with higher titer of GAD-Ab (GAD-Ab > or = 0.5) than those with lower ones (50.0% vs 12.5%, P < 0.05). (3) 47.1% (8/17) of LADA patients with thyroid autoimmunity had thyroid dysfunction as compared with 17.6% (6/34) in the group without thyroid antibodies (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) LADA patients, especially those with high titer of GAD-Ab, have high risk for thyroid autoimmunity. (2) The presence of thyroid antibody may predict high risk for thyroid dysfunction in LADA patients. (3) LADA may be one of the components in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Oral administration of HSP-containing E. coli extract OM-89 has suppressive effects in autoimmunity. Regulation of autoimmune processes by modulating peripheral immunity towards hsp's?

OM-89 (Subreum) is an E. coli extract used for oral administration in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It contains bacterial heat shock proteins, namely hsp60 and hsp70, which were shown to be major immunogenic constituents of the drug. Immunity to bacterial heat-shock antigens was shown to be a means of immunomodulation of (experimental) autoimmune disease and possibly inflammation in general. This was demonstrated for mycobacterial hsp60 respectively hsp70 in autoimmune disease models for arthritis, diabetes and encephalitis. Parallel to the effects displayed by immunisation with hsp, oral administration of hsp-containing OM-89 was found to modify autoimmune disease in a number of animal models, such as for arthritis, diabetes and SLE. In rats immunisation with OM-89 was found to lead to proliferative T cell responses to hsp60 and hsp70 of both E. coli and mycobacterial origin. Conversely, immunisation with hsp antigens could induce T cell reactivity specific for OM-89. Given this and the autoimmune disease modulating properties of both hsp and OM-89 it is argued that OM-89 acts via the same mechanism as proposed for hsp: that peripheral tolerance is induced at the level of regulatory T cells with specificity for heat-shock proteins. This may constitute one mode of action for OM-89 as an arthritis suppressive oral drug in man.

Administration, Oral↗

The genetic background of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy and its autoimmune disease components.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by an immune-mediated destruction of endocrine tissues, chronic candidiasis, and additional ectodermal disorders. In contrast to many other autoimmune diseases, APECED is associated with mutations of a single gene, designated autoimmune regulator (AIRE). To date, 45 different mutations of the AIRE gene have been identified and are distributed throughout the entire coding region. Several of the AIRE mutations predict the transcription and translation of a truncated protein, which may be nonfunctional. In contrast to the genetic background of APECED, in all of the autoimmune conditions typically associated with APECED the conclusive role of a single genetic locus capable of providing insight into the etiology of the disease has not been identified. Here we provide an overview of the current clinical and genetic features of APECED in comparison to the genetic background of the frequently associated disease components of APECED.

Autoimmunity↗

Administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in experimental autoimmune neuritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The nitric oxide (NO) synthase pathway is activated during experimental autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system, and administration of aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of the cytokine-inducible NO synthase (NOS), ameliorated the disease course of autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the SJL mouse. We studied the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Lewis rat. NG-L-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NOS, partially suppressed T cell line-mediated EAN, but not myelin-induced EAN, myelin basic protein (MBP)-induced EAE, or T cell line-mediated EAE. Aminoguanidine (AG), a selective inhibitor of the cytokine-inducible NOS, enhanced MBP-induced EAE, but had no significant effects on myelin-induced EAN. Two other NOS inhibitors, nitro-arginine methyl-ester and N-nitro arginine, had only little or no effects in EAN and EAE. The administration of NOS inhibitors showed some striking effects in EAN and EAE, but the observed diversity of actions points to a much more complex role of the NO pathway than previously suggested.

Acetates↗

Polyreactive myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies: Implications for systemic autoimmunity in progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Two myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG92-106) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced from an A.SW mouse with progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Polyreactivity/specificity of the mAbs was demonstrated by ELISA. Functionality and a potential role in pathogenesis of systemic autoimmunity were demonstrated in vitro in a lymphocytotoxicity assay and in vivo upon injection into naïve mice. Injection of MOG mAb producing hybridomas into naïve mice resulted in immunoglobulin deposition in kidneys and liver. This model will be useful in determining whether transitional forms between CNS (organ)-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases exist, and whether progressive multiple sclerosis has features of a systemic autoimmune disease.

Animals↗

Detection of autoimmune regulator gene mutations in children with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis and extrahepatic immune-mediated diseases.

Autoimmune regulator gene mutations were identified in 3 children with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis and extrahepatic immune diseases, including 1 child with immune hepatitis recurrence after liver transplantation. These findings suggest that autoimmune regulator gene variants might predispose children to systemic autoimmune disease, a recurrence of immune disease, or both.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous autoimmune gastritis in C3H/He mice: a new mouse model for gastric autoimmunity.

Autoimmune gastritis is the underlying pathological lesion of pernicious anemia in humans. The lesion is characterized by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the gastric mucosa with loss of parietal and zymogenic cells. It is associated with circulating autoantibodies to the gastric H/K-ATPase, the enzyme responsible for acidification of gastric juice. Experimental models of autoimmune gastritis have previously been produced in mice after a variety of manipulations, including thymectomy. Here we report for the first time a spontaneous mouse model of autoimmune gastritis in C3H/He mice. The spontaneous gastritis is also accompanied by circulating autoantibodies to the gastric H/K-ATPase. The spontaneous mouse model should be useful for studies directed toward the immunopathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune gastritis.

Animals↗

Direct antiglobulin test negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with autoimmune hepatitis.

A case of direct antiglobulin test(DAT)-negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is presented. A 54-year-old female was admitted with liver dysfunction and anemia. AIH was diagnosed based on the diagnostic criteria of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. The patient was DAT-negative, and exhibited all the clinical features of warm type AIHA and elevated levels of red blood cell-associated IgG. Marked improvement of subjective symptoms, the return to normal of hematological and liver test values, and a decrease in the level of RBC-associated IgG were observed after the start of corticosteroid therapy. Although an association of AIH and AIHA is rarely reported, the measurement of RBC-associated IgG is recommended in cases of AIH with DAT-negative anemia, as both disorders are autoimmune in nature.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

Autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune gastritis, and gastric carcinoid in a type 1 diabetic patient: a case report.

The history of a 45-year-old male type 1 diabetic patient is presented. At the age of 29 years, he was diagnosed to have an autoimmune hepatitis with incipient liver cirrhosis. Five years later, a successful liver/pancreas transplantation was performed. Eighteen months later, however, pancreatic insufficiency occurred due to thrombosis of the pancreatic graft. Besides these conditions, iron deficiency, pernicious anemia, and autoimmune gastritis were also diagnosed. Serum parietal cell antibodies (PCA) and intrinsic factor antibodies (AIF) were positive. At 45, this patient was found to have a gastric carcinoid tumor. The clinical importance of PCA is discussed with regard to chronic atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia, which both predispose toward gastric carcinoid tumors. Autoimmune type 1 diabetic patients who have a high prevalence of PCA should be screened for gastric autoimmune manifestations and tumors, as the history of this patient illustrates.

Autoantibodies↗

Autoimmune hypogonadism as part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome.

The most compelling case for autoimmune mediated hypogonadism occurs when ovarian failure is part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS). In patients with the rare, recessively inherited type 1 APS (APS-1), characterized by the triad of chronic mucocutaneous moniliasis, hypoparathyroidism, and Addison's disease, primary amenorrhea (elevated pituitary gonadotropins) or oligomenorrhea and infertility are constant features. Ovarian failure is associated with autoantibodies to steroid hormone secreting cells in the adrenal cortex, Leydig cells of the testes, granulosa/thecal cells of the Graffian follicles, corpus luteum, and the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta. These autoantibodies react with 3 P450 enzymes involved with steroidogenesis, namely, 21-hydroxylase (adrenal specific), 17 alpha-hydroxylase, and the side chain cleavage enzyme. Recently the 14 exon, APS-1 (autoimmune regulator or AIRE) gene has been cloned (chr. 21p22.3), and multiple mutants discovered. Parents who are obligatory heterozygotes for a single mutant gene lack clinical features of APS-1. They also do not develop APS-1 autoantibodies. Thus, hypogonadal patients without features of APS-1 are unlikely to have AIRE gene mutations. In the more common APS-2/3, characterized by combinations of autoimmune thyroid disease, immune mediated type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, and Addison's disease (type 2, not type 3), ovarian disease may be seen. In primary hypogonadism outside of the context of an APS, these autoantibodies are rare.

Adrenal Glands↗

Orthotopic liver transplantation for acute liver failure secondary to autoimmune hepatitis in a child with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is an autosomal-recessive condition characterized by hypoparathyroidism, autoimmune Addison's disease, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Autoimmune hepatitis develops in 10-20% of affected patients and has a variable course ranging from asymptomatic chronic liver disease to lethal fulminant hepatic failure. Liver transplantation has been documented previously in only two patients. We report a 14-yr-old boy with APS-1 who developed acute liver failure secondary to associated autoimmune hepatitis. He did not respond to corticosteroid therapy and was successfully treated with an orthotopic liver transplant.

Adolescent↗