Detection of Autoantibodies against Aquaporin-1 in the Sera of Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

The pathophysiology of glandular dysfunction in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) has not been fully elucidated. Previously, we reported the presence of autoantibodies to AQP-5 in patients with SS, which was associated with a low resting salivary flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-AQP1 autoantibodies. To detect anti-AQP1 autoantibodies, cell-based indirect immunofluorescence assay was developed using MDCK cells that overexpressed human AQP1. By screening 112 SS and 52 control sera, anti-AQP1 autoantibodies were detected in 27.7% of the SS but in none of the control sera. Interestingly, the sera that were positive for anti-AQP1 autoantibodies also contained anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in the previous study. Different from anti-AQP5 autoantibodies, the presence of anti-AQP1 autoantibodies was not associated with the salivary flow rate. Although anti-AQP1 autoantibodies are not useful as a diagnostic marker, the presence of autoantibodies to AQP1 may be an obstacle to AQP1 gene therapy for SS.

N-acetylcysteine and the human serum components that inhibit bacterial invasion of gingival epithelial cells prevent experimental periodontitis in mice

PURPOSE: We previously reported that human serum significantly reduces the invasion of various oral bacterial species into gingival epithelial cells in vitro. The aims of the present study were to characterize the serum component(s) responsible for the inhibition of bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and to examine their effect on periodontitis induced in mice. METHODS: Immortalized human gingival epithelial (HOK-16B) cells were infected with various 5- (and 6-) carboxy-fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled oral bacteria, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Provetella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponiema denticola, in the absence or presence of three major serum components (human serum albumin [HSA], pooled human IgG [phIgG] and alpha1-antitrypsin). Bacterial adhesion and invasion were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of small GTPases were examined. Experimental periodontitis was induced by oral inoculation of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in Balb/c mice. RESULTS: HSA and phIgG, but not alpha1-antitrypsin, efficiently inhibited the invasion of various oral bacterial species into HOK-16B cells. HSA but not phIgG decreased the adhesion of F. nucleatum onto host cells and the levels of intracellular ROS in HOK-16B cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, decreased both the levels of intracellular ROS and invasion of F. nucleatum into HOK-16B cells, confirming the role of ROS in bacterial invasion. Infection with F. nucleatum activated Rac1, a regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Not only HSA and NAC but also phIgG decreased the F. nucleatum-induced activation of Rac1. Furthermore, both HSA plus phIgG and NAC significantly reduced the alveolar bone loss in the experimental periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis and T. denticola in mice. CONCLUSIONS: NAC and the serum components HSA and phIgG, which inhibit bacterial invasion of oral epithelial cells in vitro, can successfully prevent experimental periodontitis.

Potential Role of Bacterial Infection in Autoimmune Diseases: A New Aspect of Molecular Mimicry

Molecular mimicry is an attractive mechanism for triggering autoimmunity. In this review, we explore the potential role of evolutionary conserved bacterial proteins in the production of autoantibodies with focus on granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Seven autoantigens characterized in GPA and RA were BLASTed against a bacterial protein database. Of the seven autoantigens, proteinase 3, type II collagen, binding immunoglobulin protein, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, alpha-enolase, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein have well-conserved bacterial orthologs. Importantly, those bacterial orthologs are also found in human-associated bacteria. The wide distribution of the highly conserved stress proteins or enzymes among the members of the normal flora and common infectious microorganisms raises a new question on how cross-reactive autoantibodies are not produced during the immune response to these bacteria in most healthy people. Understanding the mechanisms that deselect auto-reactive B cell clones during the germinal center reaction to homologous foreign antigens may provide a novel strategy to treat autoimmune diseases.

assessment of maxillofacial gunshot injuries and emergency management

Firearm injuries constitute a major challenging problem in maxillofacial surgery, causing major deformities of human body, and financial Burden to our society. Violent crimes are the major cause. Unemployed youth and socioeconomic deprivations are factors which contribute towards violence. There are few important steps in management of head and neck gunshot injuries, obtaining an airway, control hemorrhage, recognizing additional injuries and finally definitive repair facial deformities. The objective of this study was to report the causes, and patterns of maxillofacial gunshot injuries. A retrospective assessment of patients treated for gunshot injuries at Mayo hospital Lahore from May 2007 to July 2009 and February 2010 to January 2011 at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad was conducted, and data was collected with special emphasis on the patient's demographics, mode of injury, initial airway management, and bone injuries The sample consisted of 120 patients. [78.3%] males, in third and fourth decade of age were the most common group, violent crime [62.5%] was the predominant cause, and mandible [58.3%] was the most common site of injury. From this Available information provided in this study, is concluded that violent crime was major cause of facial gunshot injuries. Male gender and young adults were the most commonly victimized patients

Correlation between childhood chin trauma, condylar fracture and TMJ ankylosis

The objective of this study was to document the TMJ ankylosis resulting from trauma to the chin during childhood. All patients presenting with TMJ ankylosis at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore from July 2007 to March 2009 were included in this study. Patient's age, sex, socioeconomic status, previous history of injury to the chin [scar mark under the chin], level of health care center initially contacted, initial treatment received at the time of injury were documented. A total of 180 patients presented with TMJ ankylosis during the study period. 102 [56.7%]were male and 78 [43.3%] were female patients [Male: Female ratio was 1.3:1] with an age range of 4 to 35 years [mean 12.5 years]. 174 [96.7%] patients had a scar mark under their Chin. 120[66.7%] had a history of fall from roof or a tree, 54[30%] were involved in a road traffic accident, all before the age of 10 years