Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
08:40
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Elevated systemic antibodies towards commensal gut microbiota in autoinflammatory condition
Gayane P Manukyan1, Karine A Ghazaryan, Zhanna A Ktsoyan
1Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Plos One
|September 10, 2008
Summary
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients show increased systemic antibodies against common gut bacteria. This heightened immune response to commensal microbiota may stem from inflammasome hypersensitivity in FMF.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease marked by recurrent fever and serositis.
- Chronic subclinical inflammation persists even during remission in FMF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of FMF on systemic antibody levels targeting common intestinal bacteria.
- To explore the relationship between FMF and the immune response to gut commensals.
Main Methods:
- Systemic antibody levels (IgG, IgA) against intestinal bacteria were quantified using ELISA in FMF patients and healthy controls.
- Western blot analysis and serological expression cloning identified specific bacterial antigens targeted by IgG.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated IgG antibody levels against Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Escherichia, and Enteroccocus were observed in FMF patients compared to controls.
- IgA levels were not significantly affected by FMF.
- The immune response was generalized, targeting multiple proteins from various gut commensals, rather than a single dominant antigen.
Conclusions:
- FMF is associated with increased systemic reactivity towards commensal gut microbiota.
- This phenomenon is likely due to inflammasome hypersensitivity in FMF, promoting bacterial translocation and antigen exposure.
- The findings suggest a link between FMF pathogenesis and altered immune responses to the gut microbiome.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:18Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...