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Published on: November 23, 2013
Anti-alpha-fodrin autoantibodies in Moyamoya disease
Kouichi Ogawa1, Shinji Nagahiro, Rieko Arakaki
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tokushima School of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan.
Background And Purpose:
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare entity that results in progressive occlusion of the arteries of the circle of Willis, but the pathogenesis of MMD is unknown.
Methods:
MMD sera (n=32) were tested for anti-endothelial cell antibodies by enzyme-linked immunoassays and flow cytometric analysis. Apoptosis was induced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Results:
We found that a high proportion of MMD sera had anti-endothelial cell antibodies with apoptotic stimuli. Prominent reactivities of MMD sera (72%) with recombinant human alpha-fodrin were observed.
Conclusions:
Our study demonstrates that MMD sera contain a high incidence of anti-alpha-fodrin autoantibodies, providing new insight into the mechanisms of occlusion of MMD arteries.
Insights
Moyamoya disease (MMD) sera show a high incidence of autoantibodies against alpha-fodrin. This finding offers new insights into the arterial occlusion mechanisms in MMD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare condition characterized by progressive occlusion of the circle of Willis arteries.
- The underlying pathogenesis of MMD remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of anti-endothelial cell antibodies in MMD sera.
- To explore potential autoimmune mechanisms contributing to MMD pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunoassays and flow cytometry were used to test 32 MMD sera for anti-endothelial cell antibodies.
- Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha to induce apoptosis.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of MMD sera (72%) exhibited reactivity with recombinant human alpha-fodrin.
- MMD sera demonstrated anti-endothelial cell antibodies, particularly under apoptotic stimuli.
Conclusions:
- MMD sera contain a high incidence of anti-alpha-fodrin autoantibodies.
- These autoantibodies may play a role in the arterial occlusion characteristic of MMD, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.
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