A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis
A recent bioinformatic analysis revealing dominant B cell epitopes of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-centromere B, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-fibrillarin, has demonstrated the existence of several in silico antigenic mimics of pathogens that could act as triggers of th...
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PCO Convin S.A.
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doaj-6f0cadf99d7a4d87931f62e1a5fb16c22020-11-25T03:29:39ZengPCO Convin S.A.Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology2529-198X2019-01-01311507010.31138/mjr.31.1.50MJR-31-1-50A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic SclerosisAthanasios Gkoutzourelas0Maria Barmakoudi1Dimitrios P. Bogdanos2Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceA recent bioinformatic analysis revealing dominant B cell epitopes of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-centromere B, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-fibrillarin, has demonstrated the existence of several in silico antigenic mimics of pathogens that could act as triggers of the respective dominant autoepitopes. Based on those findings, the aim of the present study was to use a more comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. We demonstrated the presence of a plethora of novel microbial mimics, unnoticed by the studies so far conducted, which share remarkable amino acid similarities with the respective autoantigenic epitopes. This bioinformatic approach coupled by in vitro testing of the homologous self/non-self-mimics in serum samples from patients with systemic sclerosis may provide novel evidence of immunological cross-reactivity, implicating currently ignored or overlooked pathogens, which may indeed play a role in the induction of SSc-specific autoantibodies and assist efforts to understand the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease.http://www.mjrheum.org/assets/files/792/file207_1089.pdfautoantibodyautoimmunityautoimmune rheumatic diseasesinfectionmolecular mimicry |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Athanasios Gkoutzourelas Maria Barmakoudi Dimitrios P. Bogdanos |
spellingShingle |
Athanasios Gkoutzourelas Maria Barmakoudi Dimitrios P. Bogdanos A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology autoantibody autoimmunity autoimmune rheumatic diseases infection molecular mimicry |
author_facet |
Athanasios Gkoutzourelas Maria Barmakoudi Dimitrios P. Bogdanos |
author_sort |
Athanasios Gkoutzourelas |
title |
A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis |
title_short |
A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis |
title_full |
A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis |
title_fullStr |
A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Novel Pathogens as Molecular Mimicry Triggers of Systemic Sclerosis |
title_sort |
bioinformatics analysis reveals novel pathogens as molecular mimicry triggers of systemic sclerosis |
publisher |
PCO Convin S.A. |
series |
Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology |
issn |
2529-198X |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
A recent bioinformatic analysis revealing dominant B cell epitopes of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-centromere B, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-fibrillarin, has demonstrated the existence of several in silico antigenic mimics of pathogens that could act as triggers of the respective dominant autoepitopes. Based on those findings, the aim of the present study was to use a more comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. We demonstrated the presence of a plethora of novel microbial mimics, unnoticed by the studies so far conducted, which share remarkable amino acid similarities with the respective autoantigenic epitopes. This bioinformatic approach coupled by in vitro testing of the homologous self/non-self-mimics in serum samples from patients with systemic sclerosis may provide novel evidence of immunological cross-reactivity, implicating currently ignored or overlooked pathogens, which may indeed play a role in the induction of SSc-specific autoantibodies and assist efforts to understand the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease. |
topic |
autoantibody autoimmunity autoimmune rheumatic diseases infection molecular mimicry |
url |
http://www.mjrheum.org/assets/files/792/file207_1089.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv |
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