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Rojas M, Herrán M, Ramírez-Santana C, Leung PSC, Anaya JM, Ridgway WM, Gershwin ME. Molecular mimicry and autoimmunity in the time of COVID-19. J Autoimmun 2023; 139:103070. [PMID: 37390745 PMCID: PMC10258587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are commonly implicated as potential initiators of autoimmune diseases (ADs) and represent the most commonly known factor in the development of autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Epidemiological data and animal studies on multiple ADs suggest that molecular mimicry is one of the likely mechanisms for the loss of peripheral tolerance and the development of clinical disease. Besides molecular mimicry, other mechanisms such as defects in central tolerance, nonspecific bystander activation, epitope-determinant spreading, and/or constant antigenic stimuli, may also contribute for breach of tolerance and to the development of ADs. Linear peptide homology is not the only mechanism by which molecular mimicry is established. Peptide modeling (i.e., 3D structure), molecular docking analyses, and affinity estimation for HLAs are emerging as critical strategies when studying the links of molecular mimicry in the development of autoimmunity. In the current pandemic, several reports have confirmed an influence of SARS-CoV-2 on subsequent autoimmunity. Bioinformatic and experimental evidence support the potential role of molecular mimicry. Peptide dimensional analysis requires more research and will be increasingly important for designing and distributing vaccines and better understanding the role of environmental factors related to autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rojas
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia.
| | - María Herrán
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Carolina Ramírez-Santana
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Patrick S C Leung
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Juan-Manuel Anaya
- Health Research and Innovation Center at Coosalud, Cartagena, 130001, Colombia
| | - William M Ridgway
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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2
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Czaja AJ. Examining pathogenic concepts of autoimmune hepatitis for cues to future investigations and interventions. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:6579-6606. [PMID: 31832000 PMCID: PMC6906207 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i45.6579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple pathogenic mechanisms have been implicated in autoimmune hepatitis, but they have not fully explained susceptibility, triggering events, and maintenance or escalation of the disease. Furthermore, they have not identified a critical defect that can be targeted. The goals of this review are to examine the diverse pathogenic mechanisms that have been considered in autoimmune hepatitis, indicate investigational opportunities to validate their contribution, and suggest interventions that might evolve to modify their impact. English abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full length articles were selected for review, and secondary and tertiary bibliographies were developed. Genetic and epigenetic factors can affect susceptibility by influencing the expression of immune regulatory genes. Thymic dysfunction, possibly related to deficient production of programmed cell death protein-1, can allow autoreactive T cells to escape deletion, and alterations in the intestinal microbiome may help overcome immune tolerance and affect gender bias. Environmental factors may trigger the disease or induce epigenetic changes in gene function. Molecular mimicry, epitope spread, bystander activation, neo-antigen production, lymphocytic polyspecificity, and disturbances in immune inhibitory mechanisms may maintain or escalate the disease. Interventions that modify epigenetic effects on gene expression, alter intestinal dysbiosis, eliminate deleterious environmental factors, and target critical pathogenic mechanisms are therapeutic possibilities that might reduce risk, individualize management, and improve outcome. In conclusion, diverse pathogenic mechanisms have been implicated in autoimmune hepatitis, and they may identify a critical factor or sequence that can be validated and used to direct future management and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Czaja
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
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3
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Rojas M, Restrepo-Jiménez P, Monsalve DM, Pacheco Y, Acosta-Ampudia Y, Ramírez-Santana C, Leung PS, Ansari AA, Gershwin ME, Anaya JM. Molecular mimicry and autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:100-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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4
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Degoot AM, Chirove F, Ndifon W. Trans-Allelic Model for Prediction of Peptide:MHC-II Interactions. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1410. [PMID: 29988560 PMCID: PMC6026802 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class two (MHC-II) molecules are trans-membrane proteins and key components of the cellular immune system. Upon recognition of foreign peptides expressed on the MHC-II binding groove, CD4+ T cells mount an immune response against invading pathogens. Therefore, mechanistic identification and knowledge of physicochemical features that govern interactions between peptides and MHC-II molecules is useful for the design of effective epitope-based vaccines, as well as for understanding of immune responses. In this article, we present a comprehensive trans-allelic prediction model, a generalized version of our previous biophysical model, that can predict peptide interactions for all three human MHC-II loci (HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ), using both peptide sequence data and structural information of MHC-II molecules. The advantage of this approach over other machine learning models is that it offers a simple and plausible physical explanation for peptide–MHC-II interactions. We train the model using a benchmark experimental dataset and measure its predictive performance using novel data. Despite its relative simplicity, we find that the model has comparable performance to the state-of-the-art method, the NetMHCIIpan method. Focusing on the physical basis of peptide–MHC binding, we find support for previous theoretical predictions about the contributions of certain binding pockets to the binding energy. In addition, we find that binding pocket P5 of HLA-DP, which was not previously considered as a primary anchor, does make strong contribution to the binding energy. Together, the results indicate that our model can serve as a useful complement to alternative approaches to predicting peptide–MHC interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoelnaser M Degoot
- African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Muizenberg, South Africa.,School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.,DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS), Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Faraimunashe Chirove
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Wilfred Ndifon
- African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Muizenberg, South Africa
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5
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Carrillo-Vazquez JP, Correa-Basurto J, García-Machorro J, Campos-Rodríguez R, Moreau V, Rosas-Trigueros JL, Reyes-López CA, Rojas-López M, Zamorano-Carrillo A. A continuous peptide epitope reacting with pandemic influenza AH1N1 predicted by bioinformatic approaches. J Mol Recognit 2015; 28:553-64. [DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular y Diseño de Fármacos; Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN; Mexico, D.F. Mexico
| | - Jazmin García-Machorro
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación; Escuela Superior de Medicina-IPN; Mexico, D.F. Mexico
| | | | | | - Jorge L. Rosas-Trigueros
- Laboratorio Transdisciplinario de Investigación en Sistemas Evolutivos SEPI-ESCOM-IPN; Mexico, D.F. Mexico
| | - Cesar A. Reyes-López
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional; Doctorado en Biotecnología ENMH-IPN; Mexico, D.F. Mexico
| | | | - Absalom Zamorano-Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional; Doctorado en Biotecnología ENMH-IPN; Mexico, D.F. Mexico
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6
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Theoretical analysis of the neuraminidase epitope of the Mexican A H1N1 influenza strain, and experimental studies on its interaction with rabbit and human hosts. Immunol Res 2013; 56:44-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s12026-013-8385-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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7
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Mangalam AK, Khare M, Krco CJ, Rodriguez M, David CS. Delineation of the minimal encephalitogenic epitope of proteolipid protein peptide(91-110) and critical residues required for induction of EAE in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice. J Neuroimmunol 2005; 161:40-8. [PMID: 15748942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2004.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2004] [Revised: 12/07/2004] [Accepted: 12/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we have reported that proteolipid protein (PLP) peptide 91-110 can induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in HLA-DR3 transgenic (tg) mice. Here we, report that residues spanning 97-108 are the minimal epitope required for induction of EAE in DR3 mice. Utilizing a series of alanine-substituted peptides, positions 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 106 are identified as residues necessary for an immune response. Further analysis indicated that amino acid isoleucine (99), aspartate (102) and lysine (104) are anchor residues facilitating binding to HLA-DR3 molecules. These results may have applications in the future design of peptide based immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Alanine/immunology
- Animals
- Apoproteins/chemistry
- Apoproteins/toxicity
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/chemically induced
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- HLA-DR3 Antigen/genetics
- HLA-DR3 Antigen/immunology
- Humans
- Immunization, Passive
- Immunodominant Epitopes/chemistry
- Immunodominant Epitopes/immunology
- Immunodominant Epitopes/toxicity
- Major Histocompatibility Complex/physiology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Models, Immunological
- Myelin Proteolipid Protein/chemistry
- Myelin Proteolipid Protein/toxicity
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- Peptide Fragments/toxicity
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/drug effects
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Time Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh K Mangalam
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200, 1st Street SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Khare SD, Lee S, Bull MJ, Hanson J, Luthra HS, David CS. Spontaneous inflammatory disease in HLA-B27 transgenic mice does not require transporter of antigenic peptides. Clin Immunol 2001; 98:364-9. [PMID: 11237560 DOI: 10.1006/clim.2000.4984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
HLA-B27 is strongly linked with a group of human diseases called spondyloarthropathies. Even though HLA-B27 as an MHC class I molecule would be expected to present endogenously processed peptides such as cytosolic or viral proteins, many of the B27-linked diseases begin after an infection with an enterobacteria, an exogenous antigen. In our previous studies, we have described development of spontaneous inflammatory disease in HLA-B27 transgenic mice expressing beta(2)m free heavy chains on the cell surface. In order to address the role of endogenous versus exogenous antigens and a role for Tap genes in the development of spontaneous diseases, mice lacking Tap-1 (knockout) were mated to HLA-B27/human beta(2)m transgenic mice. B27(+)/human beta(2)m(+) double-transgenic mice (without mouse beta(2)m) lacking the Tap-1 gene developed spontaneous inflammatory disease similar to wild-type Tap-1 gene-expressing counterparts. Our data demonstrate that peptide transporters (Tap) were not involved in the development of spontaneous inflammatory disease in B27(+)/human beta(2)m transgenic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Khare
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic and Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA
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Rose LM, Deng CT, Scott SL, Xiong CY, Lamborn KR, Gumerlock PH, DeNardo GL, Meares CF. Critical Lym-1 binding residues on polymorphic HLA-DR molecules. Mol Immunol 1999; 36:789-97. [PMID: 10593517 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-5890(99)00083-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L M Rose
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis 95616-5295, USA
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10
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Xue S, Perlman S. Antigen specificity of CD4 T cell response in the central nervous system of mice infected with mouse hepatitis virus. Virology 1997; 238:68-78. [PMID: 9375010 DOI: 10.1006/viro.1997.8819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we showed that the transmembrane (M) and surface (S) glycoproteins were recognized by splenic CD4 T lymphocytes harvested from mice infected intraperitoneally with mouse hepatitis virus, strain JHM (MHV-JHM), whereas only the S protein was recognized by splenocytes derived from mice with MHV-induced chronic demyelination. From these results, it could not be determined which proteins were recognized by T cells localized in the infected central nervous system (CNS). Herein, we show that CD4 T cells responding to both the M and S proteins can be detected in the CNS of mice with either acute encephalitis or the chronic demyelinating disease. As part of these analyses, two CD4 T cell epitope regions encompassing residues 328-347 and 358-377 within the S protein were identified. Both epitopes, as well as a previously identified M-specific epitope, were recognized by the CNS-derived lymphocytes. Finally, viral RNA harvested from mice with chronic demyelination was analyzed for mutations in the S specific CD4 T cell epitopes since changes resulting in escape from CD8 T cell surveillance were previously identified in these samples. A mutation in epitope region S(328-347) (ala to thr at position 337) was detected in a minority of samples but this change did not abrogate recognition of the epitope and therefore was unlikely to contribute to virus persistence. In conclusion, these studies identify epitopes recognized by MHV-specific CD4 T cells in the infected CNS and show that these cells are preferentially located at the site of infection in mice with clinical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Xue
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA
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Delvig AA, Rosenqvist E, Oftung F, Robinson JH. T-Cell epitope mapping the PorB protein of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis in B10 congenic strains of mice. CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY 1997; 85:134-42. [PMID: 9344695 DOI: 10.1006/clin.1997.4437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
T-cell epitope mapping the meningococcal serotype 15 PorB protein performed in this study in three congenic strains of mice with B10 genetic background revealed at least three murine T-cell epitopes (55-72, 163-180, and 226-261), located in the highly conserved putative transmembrane regions of Neisserial porins. Proliferation assays with popliteal lymph node cells derived from mice immunized with the PorB protein or with synthetic 18-mer peptides showed that epitope 163-180 immunized only in the H-2d haplotype, epitope 55-72 could be presented by both H-2f and H-2s molecules, while the 226-261 region covered by three overlapping peptides could be efficiently recognized in context of all three MHC class II haplotypes studied. Inhibition experiments with blocking I-Aalpha- and I-Ealpha-specific mAb showed that peptide 163-180 was presented by I-Ad and peptide 244-261 was presented by both I-Af and I-As. In addition, evidence was obtained that peptide 226-243 was presented in context of H-2d or I-As haplotypes and peptide 55-72 was presented in context of I-Af and I-As loci. Finally, the Norwegian outer membrane vesicle vaccine, but not the purified PorB protein, could recall responses in mice immunized with synthetic peptides corresponding to the 226-261 region. Altogether, these results suggest that T-cell epitopes identified on the serotype 15 PorB protein, particularly those presented by several MHC class II molecules (e.g., 226-261), could have important implications for the development of meningococcal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Delvig
- The Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
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