autoimmunity Archives - Well Referenced

Does the epithelial barrier hypothesis explain the increase in allergy, autoimmunity and other chronic conditions?

This 2021 review by Cezmi A. Akdis introduces the “epithelial barrier hypothesis,” proposing that increased exposure to epithelial barrier-damaging agents—such as pollutants, detergents, and processed foods—due to industrialization and urbanization contributes to the rise in allergic, autoimmune, and other chronic diseases. The hypothesis suggests that damage to epithelial barriers (skin,

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Anti-parietal cell antibodies – diagnostic significance

This 2016 review article examines the clinical utility of anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA) in diagnosing autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) and pernicious anemia (PA). APCA target the H+/K+ ATPase proton pump in gastric parietal cells, primarily the alpha subunit. Detection methods include immunofluorescence, ELISA, and radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIA), with RIA offering

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Antimitochondrial antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis: the role of xenobiotics

This 2002 review examines the role of xenobiotics in the development of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). It proposes that environmental chemicals can modify mitochondrial proteins, particularly the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), leading to the loss of immune tolerance and the production of

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Novosphingobium aromaticivorans: a potential initiator of primary biliary cirrhosis

This 2004 study explores the role of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, a Gram-negative bacterium, in triggering primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The bacterium’s PDC-E2-like proteins exhibit high homology with human PDC-E2, a key autoantigen in PBC. Exposure to N. aromaticivorans may lead to molecular mimicry, breaking immune tolerance and initiating autoimmune responses. The

June 26, 2025 No Comments

The autoimmunity of primary biliary cirrhosis and the clonal selection theory

This 2011 review explores the autoimmune mechanisms underlying primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), with a focus on the clonal selection theory. It outlines how loss of immune tolerance to mitochondrial autoantigens, especially the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), triggers clonal expansion of autoreactive B and T cells. The

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Targeting Zonulin and Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function to Prevent Onset of Arthritis

This 2020 study elucidates the role of zonulin, a modulator of intestinal tight junctions, in the progression from autoimmunity to inflammatory arthritis. Elevated serum zonulin levels were observed in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and individuals at risk, correlating with increased intestinal permeability and decreased expression of tight junction proteins

June 26, 2025 No Comments

The Role of Heavy Metals in Autoimmunity

This review article explores how exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and gold can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. The authors discuss mechanisms including the modification of self-antigens, disruption of immune tolerance, and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The article highlights evidence from both human epidemiological

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Ironing out the role of ferroptosis in immunity

This 2024 review article delves into the intricate relationship between ferroptosis—a regulated, iron-dependent form of cell death—and the immune system. It highlights how ferroptosis influences both innate and adaptive immunity, affecting processes such as infection response, autoimmunity, and tumor immunity. The review discusses the dual role of ferroptosis in promoting

June 26, 2025 No Comments

The effects of oxygen-ozone therapy on regulatory T-cell responses in multiple sclerosis patients

This 2021 observational study titled “The Effects of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy on Regulatory T-Cell Responses in Multiple Sclerosis Patients” (Cell Biology International, DOI: [10.1002/cbin.11589*) investigated how medical ozone therapy impacts immune regulation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that ozone therapy significantly increased the frequency and suppressive function

June 26, 2025 No Comments

Role of interleukin-6 and interferon-α in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study and meta-analysis

This case-control study and accompanying meta-analysis explored the roles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among 70 SLE patients and 40 matched healthy controls, significantly elevated levels of IL-6 (p < 0.0001) and IFN-α (p = 0.01) were observed in SLE patients, both correlating positively

June 26, 2025 No Comments

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