Reactividad IgE de sueros en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes, frente a una proteína multi-epítopes construida a partir de epítopes T de alérgenos de Ascaris lumbricoides

Abstract

Background: Helminth infections for Ascaris lumbricoides and exposure to mite allergens stimulate a Th2 immune response present in allergic diseases. Helminth proteins are well known can modulate the host immune response and lessen the inflammation response. We evaluate the Ig E reactivity to a molecule constructed from A. lumbricoides T epitopes (MP1) in sera from patients suffering from T1D, LN, and JIA Methods: We designed and expressed a synthetic multi-epítope protein named MP1 from A. lumbricoides and house dust mites allergens. By indirect ELISA, we evaluated IgE-reactivity to MP1 and to the whole-body extract of Ascaris lumbricoidesin 45 sera from Colombian Caribbean patients with lupus nephritis (LN; n=25), type 1 diabetes (T1D; n=10) and Juvenil idiopathic arthritis (JIA; n=10). Individuals with poly autoimmunity were excluded. All patients were referred to the study by their specialist doctor. Results: IgE to whole-body extract of A. lumbricoides showed the following median concentrations: 484.2 ng/ml (IQR: 203.4) in JIA patients, 325.6 ng/ml (IQR: 179.3) in individuals with LN, and 424.7 ng/ml (IQR: 80.1) in T1D group. On the other hand, IgE-reactivity to MP1 was 126.4 ng/ml (IQR: 90.9) in JIA patients, 130.7 ng/ml (IQR: 94.8) in an individual with LN, and 148.8 ng/ml (IQR: 102.1) in T1D group. Although no statistical differences were observed between patient groups, the IgE to MP1 in all patients (n: 45) (IgE median: 134.2 ng/ml; IQR: 100) were significantly less compared to Ascaris extract (IgE median: 380.7 ng/ml; IQR: 175.8); (W:0.732; p-value: 1.034x10-7). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that MP1 showed antigenic properties with low IgE-reactivity compared to Ascaris lumbricoides extract in individuals with autoimmune diseases. Further studies are needed to understand better the immune response induced by this molecule.