Anti-aquaporin 4 IgG Is Not Associated With Any Clinical Disease Characteristics in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a clinically defined, inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease of unknown cause, associated with humoral autoimmune findings such as anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-IgG. Recent clinical trials showed a benefit of anti-B cell and anti-complement-antibodies in NMOSD, suggesting relevance of anti-AQP4-IgG in disease pathogenesis. AQP4-IgG in NMOSD is clearly defined, yet up to 40% of the patients are negative for AQP4-IgG.

Immunological effects and potential mechanisms of action of autologous serum therapy in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Autoimmune processes are considered to play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Very recently, interleukin 24 (IL-24) has been identified as an immunoglobulin E (IgE) autoantigen in CSU. Some studies revealed that notably autologous serum skin test (ASST)-positive CSU patients may benefit from autohemotherapy; however, the mechanisms of action remain unknown.

On the Lipophilic Nature of Autoreactive IgE in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin disease related to autoreactive IgE in at least a subgroup of patients. However, the nature of this autoreactive IgE remains poorly characterized. This investigation had three objectives: first, to quantity CSU autoreactive IgE; second, to recognize the patterns of CSU autoreactive IgE compared with healthy control IgE; and third, to investigate the physiochemical nature of CSU autoreactive IgE.

Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Autoimmunity.

The study of autoimmunity mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) autoantibodies, which may be termed autoallergy, is in its infancy. It is now recognized that systemic lupus erythematosus, bullous pemphigoid (BP), and chronic urticaria, both spontaneous and inducible, are most likely to be mediated, at least in part, by IgE autoantibodies. The situation in other conditions, such as autoimmune uveitis, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroid Graves' disease, autoimmune pancreatitis, and even asthma, is far less clear but evidence for autoallergy is accumulating.

IL-24 is a common and specific autoantigen of IgE in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: The efficacy of omalizumab (anti-IgE) and increased IgE levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) suggest autoallergic mechanisms.

Objective: We sought to identify autoallergic targets of IgE in patients with CSU.

Methods: Serum samples of patients with CSU together with those of patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis and healthy control subjects (7 of each) were screened for IgE autoantibodies by using an array of more than 9000 proteins.