Detection of Autoantibodies Against the Acetylcholine Receptor, Evaluation of Commercially Available Methodologies: Fixed Cell-Based Assay, Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay1.

Background/objective: Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by pathogenic autoantibodies (AAbs) targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR), disrupting neuromuscular communication. RadioImmunoPrecipitation Assay (RIPA) is recommended to detect AChR AAbs, but its complexity and radioactive requirements limit widespread use. We compare non-RIPA anti-AChR immunoassays, including Cell-Based Assay (CBA) and two ELISA kits, against the gold standard RIPA.

Birth weight and its relationship with endothelial function and pattern of endothelium-derived microparticles during childhood: New insight about early vascular damage.

Aims: To investigate whether a specific endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs) phenotype could be associated with birth weight and microvascular endothelial function in children.

Materials And Methods: A total of 95 children aged 6-14 years were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, microvascular endothelial function testing, and biochemical profile analyses were performed.

High circulating levels of CD62E and CD31/Annexin V endothelium-derived microparticles in children with overweight/obesity: Evidence of early vascular damage.

Background: Obesity perturbs endothelium integrity, leading to endothelial activation, which predisposes the release of endothelium-derived microparticles (EMP). We measured the CD31/annexin V and CD62E EMP levels to improve our understanding of their contribution to endothelial damage in children with overweight/obesity.

Subject And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 children with normal weight and 35 children with overweight/obesity were evaluated.

Interkit Reproducibility of the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay on HEp-2 Cells Depends on the Immunofluorescence Reactivity Intensity and Pattern.

Introduction: The indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells (HEp-2/IFA) is used worldwide for screening for autoantibodies to cellular antigens. Cell culture and fixation methods influence the cell distribution of autoantigens and the preservation of epitopes. Therefore, discrepancy of results obtained using different HEp-2/IFA kits (interkit nonreproducibility) is a common phenomenon in the clinical laboratory routine.

Changes in the result of antinuclear antibody immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells reflect disease activity status in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background The objective of the study was to determine whether the staining pattern and titer of indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells (HEp-2 IFA) are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity. Methods A total of 269 consecutive patients meeting the ACR and SLICC criteria for SLE were classified into three groups according to the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI2K): Remission (SLEDAI2K = 0; n = 47); Intermediate (SLEDAI2K = 1-5; n = 111); Active (SLEDAI2K ≥ 6; n = 111). All subjects were assessed for HEp-2 IFA titer and staining pattern and nine traditional parameters of SLE disease activity.

Biological anti-TNF drugs: immunogenicity underlying treatment failure and adverse events.

Genetically engineered monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins directed against cytokines or their receptors represent a breakthrough in the treatment of various chronic immune-inflammatory diseases. Areas covered: Studies show high remission rates in several diseases, but clinical practice shows a significant percentage of individuals who do not exhibit the desired response. Loss of therapeutic benefit after initial successful response is designated secondary failure.

25-Hydroxivitamin D Serum Concentration, Not Free and Bioavailable Vitamin D, Is Associated with Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

We aim to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and investigate the association between total, free and bioavailable vitamin D serum concentrations and disease activity. Patients with SLE (ACR 1997) consecutively seen at UNIFESP's outpatient's clinics had disease activity measured after clinical and laboratory evaluation using SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index). 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum concentrations measured by chemiluminescence and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) measured by ELISA were used to calculate free and bioavailable vitamin D.

Differential capacity of therapeutic drugs to induce Rods/Rings structures in vitro and in vivo and generation of anti-Rods/Rings autoantibodies.

Some HCV patients using ribavirin and interferon alpha (IFN-α) develop anti-rods and rings (RR) autoantibodies, the main target of which is inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the rate-determining enzyme in de novo GTP biosynthesis. In vitro inhibition of IMPDH by ribavirin induces RR formation. Here we investigate whether other commonly used drugs that interfere with GTP biosynthesis can induce RR structures in vitro and vivo and elicit generation of autoantibodies.