Impaired inhibitory Fcgamma receptor IIB expression on B cells in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

The inhibitory Fc-gamma receptor FcgammaRIIB, expressed on myeloid and B cells, has a critical role in the balance of tolerance and autoimmunity, and is required for the antiinflammatory activity of intravenous Ig (IVIG) in various murine disease models. However, the function of FcgammaRIIB and its regulation by IVIG in human autoimmune diseases are less well understood. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common treatable acquired chronic polyneuropathy, and IVIG is widely used as a first-line initial and maintenance treatment.

Classifications and treatment responses in chronic immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Background: Chronic immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIP) represents a heterogeneous pool of motor, sensory, sensorimotor, symmetric, or asymmetric syndromes.

Objective: To evaluate published diagnostic classifications and characterize predictors of treatment response.

Methods: One hundred two of 158 patients with a working diagnosis of CIP were included and clinically characterized because they had electrophysiologic and/or histologic evidence of demyelination.

Clonal expansions of CD4+ B helper T cells in autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

The weakness in myasthenia gravis (MG) is mediated by T helper cell (Th)-dependent autoantibodies against neuromuscular epitopes. So far, analyzing Th phenotypes or antigen specificities has yielded very few clues to pathogenesis. Here we adopt an alternative antigen-independent approach, analyzing T cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta usage/expansions in blood from 118 MG patients.

Suppression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis by a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist--a putative role for substance P in CNS inflammation.

Substance P (SP) is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. Most of its physiological functions are mediated through binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Recently, proinflammatory properties of SP have been described.

The role of the polio virus receptor and the herpesvirus entry mediator B genes for the development of MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Although the cause of MS is still uncertain, it is well accepted that both genetic and environmental factors are important for the development of disease. In this study, we focused on the Polio Virus Receptor (PVR) and Herpesvirus entry mediator B (HVEB) receptor genes, which are located on chromosome 19q13, a region previously linked to MS.

Myositis in a patient with large granular leukocyte leukemia.

We describe the case of a 58-year-old patient with subacute progressive weakness in both legs accompanied by recurrent opportunistic infections. White cell count was normal, but immunophenotyping revealed an increased number of CD8(+) T cells and deficiency of natural killer cells, B cells, and CD4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood. Large granular leukocyte (LGL) leukemia was diagnosed based on a clonal T-cell receptor rearrangement.

Specificity and degeneracy: T cell recognition in CNS autoimmunity.

T cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of most autoimmune disorders. However, target antigens and pathomechanisms leading to human autoimmune diseases are still largely unknown. Cross-recognition of T cells between self and foreign antigens has been considered as a driving force in generating autoimmunity.

The immune response at onset and during recovery from Borrelia burgdorferi meningoradiculitis.

Background: Borrelia burgdorferi causes a wide range of neurologic syndromes. In Europe, acute meningoradiculitis is the most common manifestation.

Objective: To address the nature of the immune response during the course of B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis, with special respect to the early and late changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Oligoclonal expansion of memory CD8+ T cells in cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Although the aetiology of multiple sclerosis is still unknown, it is widely believed that T cells play a central role in its pathogenesis. To identify and characterize disease-relevant T cells, we analysed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells freshly isolated from the CSF and peripheral blood of 36 multiple sclerosis patients for their T-cell receptor variable beta (TCRBV) chain repertoire.

Patterns of cerebrospinal fluid pathology correlate with disease progression in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the CNS with, as yet, an unknown aetiology. Temporal profile, intensity and treatment responses are highly variable in multiple sclerosis suggesting pathogenetic heterogeneity. This hypothesis has been supported by histopathological studies disclosing at least four different subtypes of acute demyelinating lesions.

Immunosuppressive treatment of ocular myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is caused by autoantibodies against proteins at the neuromuscular junction. This autoimmune process leads to abnormal fatiguability and weakness of striated muscle. Ptosis and diplopia are among the most common manifestations of MG.

No association of three polymorphisms in the alpha-2-macroglobulin and lipoprotein related receptor genes with multiple sclerosis.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) is a proteinase inhibitor involved in deactivation of cytokines and modulation of antigen-mediated immune responses. Based on its role in inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, we investigated the role of A2M and its receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed the frequency of two polymorphisms in the A2M (Val 1000 Ile, Exon 18 del), and one polymorphism in the LRP (A216V) gene in a case control study involving 326 MS patients, and 290 controls, all defined for the expression of HLA-DR15.

New approaches to dissect degeneracy and specificity in T cell antigen recognition.

The acquired immune system is a complex and very effective defense against invading pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. T cells are central to the acquired immune system by controlling B and T cell activation and induction of T cell effector functions. The key event for T cell activation is the recognition of a specific antigen by the T cell receptor.

Degeneracy in T-cell antigen recognition - implications for the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

T-cells recognize by their T-cell receptor (TCR) short peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Based on functional and structural data, it has become widely accepted that this interaction is highly flexible thus allowing a specific TCR to interact with a broad range of different peptide ligands. Although cross-reactivity is essential for selection and maintenance of the T-cell repertoire, it also carries the danger of inducing autoreactivity following protective immune responses.