Walnut antigens can trigger autoantibody development in patients with pemphigus vulgaris through a "hit-and-run" mechanism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental factors, as well as genetic predisposition, are known to be critical for the development of autoimmunity. However, the environmental agents that trigger autoimmune responses have remained elusive. One possible explanation is the "hit-and-run" mechanism in which the inciting antigens that initiate autoimmune responses are not present at the time of overt autoimmune disease.

Objective

After our previous findings that some allergens can incite autoimmune responses, we investigated the potential role of environmental allergens in triggering autoantibody development in patients with an autoimmune skin disease, pemphigus vulgaris (PV).

Methods

Revertant/germline mAbs (with mutations on variable regions of heavy and light chains reverted to germline

SUBMITTER: Lin L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6742533 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature