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From rabies to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies: an immune-mediated microbial trigger involving molecular

Alan Ebringer1, Taha Rashid, Noor Jawad

  • 1School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN, UK. alan.ebringer@kcl.ac.uk

Medical Hypotheses
|August 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Investigating transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), this study explores potential autoimmune mechanisms similar to multiple sclerosis (MS). Autoantibodies and microbial triggers like Acinetobacter are implicated in TSE pathogenesis, warranting further research.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Prion Diseases
  • Autoimmunity

Background:

  • Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) shares links with rabies post-vaccination encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • The immunopathogenetic mechanisms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) remain unclear, particularly regarding autoimmunity.
  • Autoantibodies to neuronal antigens (myelin, neurofilaments, prion proteins) have been observed in BSE, scrapie, CJD, and kuru.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential shared immunopathogenetic mechanisms between TSEs and autoimmune neurological diseases like MS.
  • To explore the role of autoantibodies and microbial factors in the pathogenesis of TSEs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on EAE, MS, TSEs, and associated autoantibodies.
  • Consideration of microbial factors, such as Acinetobacter, as potential triggers for autoimmune responses.

Main Results:

  • Autoantibodies against brain antigens are reported in animals and humans with TSEs.
  • Bacterial molecular sequences resembling brain antigens (e.g., Acinetobacter) are proposed as potential initiators of autoimmune responses in BSE and CJD.

Conclusions:

  • Autoimmunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of TSEs, similar to MS.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the role of autoantibodies and microbial triggers in TSEs.
  • Caution is advised when interpreting studies involving brain homogenates due to potential immunological responses.

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