Low molecular weight cytotoxic components (DAMPs) form the post-COVID-19 syndrome

We studied the role of cytotoxic components (DAMPs) formed in the body of patients with COVID-19 in ensuring the long-term preservation of post-COVID-19 manifestations and the possibility of creating an experimental model by transferring DAMPs to rats. In patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) 2 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection we determined the presence of cytotoxic components in the blood serum (Terasaki test, Dunaliella viridis test and content of DAMPs). In post-COVID-19 syndrome patients with a high content of serum cytotoxic oligopeptide fraction (selective group, n = 16) we determined the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes in the blood, the content of C-reactive protein (CRP), the concentration of C3 and C4 complement components and circulating immune complexes, the serum content of IL-6, IL ?10, IL-18, TNF-α, phagocytic activity of neutrophils, presence of neutrophil traps and autoantibodies ANA.It has been shown that in patients with PCS, there are components with cytotoxicity in the blood serum, form specific immunopathological patterns, which are characterized by: an increased content of CRP, complement system components C3 and C4 and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18) activation, the formation of a wide range of autoantibodies ANA, the low efficiency of endocytosis in oxygen-independent phagocytosis; their phagocytic activity reaches its functional limit, and against this background, activation of neutrophil traps occurs, which can contribute to further induction of DAMPs. This self-sustaining cell-killing activation provided long-term preservation of PCS symptoms.The transfer of blood serum components from selective group patients with PCS to rats was accompanied by the appearance of cytotoxic components in them which induced sensitization and immunopathological reactions. Preventive administration of a biologically active substance with polyfunctional properties MF to experimental animals “corrected” the initial functional state of the body's immune-metabolic system and eliminated or facilitated immuno-inflammatory reactions.     

低频感音神经性聋患者的内耳免疫学探讨

目的 测定抗内耳自身抗体,以研究低频感音神经性耳聋患者与内耳免疫的相关性。方法 通过临床详细询问病史、纯音测听、声导抗测试及ABR测试,选择低频感音神经性聋患者30例做为研究对象。以豚鼠内耳石蜡切片作为抗原,用间接免疫荧光法检测患者血清中的抗内耳抗体。结果 30例患者中有26例血清中抗内耳抗体阳性,阳性率为86.67%,P<0.01有极显著性差异;低频感音神经性聋在青少年组(≤25岁)和女性组呈高发,阳性率均为63.33％(19／30),P<0.05有显著性差异;低频感音神经性聋多为双侧耳聋,少数为单侧耳聋,双侧耳聋阳性率为86.67%(26／30),P<0.01有极显著性差异。结论 自身免疫反应参与了低频感音神经性聋的发病过程;低频感音神经聋与年龄和性别有关;低频感音神经性聋发病多为双侧聋;同时检测患者血清ⅠgM和ⅠgG内耳抗体,可协助诊断。     

Properties of a System of Public Idiotypes of Lupus Autoantibodies

We can conclude from the properties of the Id-16/6 system that a relatively restricted group of B cell clones is activated in systemic lupus erythematosus. Whether this is a property of the immunogeneic stimulus that causes the diseases (if indeed there is one), or whether the observations are due to an idiotypic network that favors the selection of Id-16/6-cxpressing B cells is not known. These alternatives are under investigation. Apart from these theoretical considerations, the high frequency of Id-16/6(+) autoantibodies, including pathogenic autoantibodies, in systemic lupus erythematosus may point to targets amenable to the specific therapy of the disease.     

Statins can induce myasthenia gravis

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are commonly prescribed for prevention of cardiovascular morbidity. A rare side effect of statin medication is the induction of autoimmune illnesses, including myasthenia gravis (myasthenia). Here we present two patients with seropositive myasthenia that developed 4 weeks after initiation of atorvastatin, increasing the total reported patients to seven. Reviewing recent literature we highlight the connections between statins, auto-immunity and myasthenia. Statins may favour T-cell phenotypes that reduce cell-mediated immunity but could increase antibody-mediated humoral immunity.     

Progressively decreasing plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels preceding diagnosis of smoldering myeloma

We report a case of disappearing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) syndrome caused by oxidative modification of HDL and by autoantibodies against modified HDL, with subsequent diagnosis of myeloma. An elderly Caucasian man had normal lipid levels with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the upper 70 mg/dL range from 1999 to 2003. In 2003, his HDL-C levels began to progressively fall, and by 2011, they were undetectable (<5 mg/dL) when measured with a Beckman Synchron LX auto analyzer. Analyses of the plasma sample from 2011 using ultracentrifugation (Vertical Auto Profile), nuclear magnetic resonance, and Ace EXCEL auto analyzer have shown that HDL-C levels were easily detectable (47–54 mg/dL), although reduced compared with his pre-2003 values. Analyses of his plasma sample from 2011 also showed the presence of lipid-adducted apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and high titer of antibodies against the adducted apoA1. Interestingly, a negative correlation between HDL-C levels and the titer of antibodies against apoA1 adducts was found in the control cohort. Finally, we show that in the mouse system, an antibody against apoA1 increases the clearance of HDL from plasma. This case of smoldering myeloma preceded by acquired, severe HDL-C deficiency, likely because of oxidative modifications of the HDL protein leading to the formation of autoantibodies, interference with clinical measurement of HDL-C, and increased plasma clearance of HDL, adds to the list of diagnostic considerations for unexplained HDL-C decreases over time.     

白细胞介素-33的测定及其与早期类风湿关节炎相关性的研究

目的 通过检测早期类风湿关节炎(RA)患者血清中的白细胞介素(IL)-33水平,分析其与早期RA之间的相关性.方法 收集病程<1年的早期RA患者100例,骨关节炎(OA)患者40例以及健康对照者70名.采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血清中的IL-33水平,并分析血清IL-33水平与RA各临床和实验室指标的相关性.计量资料的比较采用Kruskal-Wallis检验和(或)Mann-Whitney U检验,计数资料比较采用X2检验,相关性分析采用Spearman相关分析.结果 RA患者血清IL-33水平为(282±871)pg/ml,显著高于健康对照组[(7±38)pg/ml,P(0.01)和OA患者[(8±35)pg/ml,P<0.01].血清IL-33水平与类风湿因子(RF)、隐性类风湿因子IgG(HRF-IgG)、抗环瓜氨酸肽(CCP)抗体、抗突变型瓜氨酸化波形蛋白(MCV)抗体呈正相关(r分别为:0.312,0.277,0.213,0.302,P<0.01或P<0.05). IL-33阳性组患者的RF阳性率、HRF-IgG阳性率、抗CCP抗体阳性率、抗MCV抗体阳性率(86%、31%、86%、94%)较IL-33阴性组患者(54%、11%、42%、72%)显著升高(P均<0.05). 结论 IL-33在RA患者血清中显著升高,并与多种自身抗体(包括RF、抗CCP抗体、抗MCV抗体和HRF-IgG)显著相关,可能是RA预后不良的因素之一.