title: Emerging role of autoantibodies against appetite-regulating neuropeptides in eating disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent findings of autoantibodies directed against melanocortin peptides suggest that these autoantibodies may represent a source of variability in peptidergic signaling that can be responsible for altered appetite and emotion in eating disorders. However, it is still unknown if autoantibodies directed against some other appetite-regulating neuropeptides and peptide hormones exist in healthy human subjects and if these autoantibodies can regulate appetite and emotion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the presence of autoantibodies against some key appetite-regulating neuropeptides and peptide hormones in sera of human subjects and in rats, and used animal models to study the role of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone autoantibodies in food intake and anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunoglobulin G and A autoantibodies against alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, ghrelin, leptin, and some other neuropeptides or peptide hormones involved in appetite control were present in healthy humans and rats. Animal models including active and passive transfer showed that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone autoantibodies are involved in the regulation of feeding and anxiety. Sequence homology was found between neuropeptides and proteins from some members of intestinal microflora, whereas germ-free rats showed altered levels of autoantibodies directed against several neuropeptides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autoantibodies directed against appetite-regulating neuropeptides and peptide hormones are emerging as important participants in the peptidergic mechanisms controlling motivated behavior. Furthermore, these autoantibodies could provide a link in the gut-brain axis and may represent new biological targets for the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.
authors: Digestive System and Nutrition Laboratory (ADEN EA3234), Institute of Biomedical Research, Rouen University, IFR23, Rouen, France. Serguei.Fetissov@univ-rouen.fr
authors: Sergueï O
authors: SO
authors: Fetissov
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Hamze Sinno
authors: Quentin
authors: Q
authors: Coquerel
authors: Jean Claude
authors: JC
authors: Do Rego
authors: Moïse
authors: M
authors: Coëffier
authors: Danièle
authors: D
authors: Gilbert
authors: Tomas
authors: T
authors: Hökfelt
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Déchelotte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004435:Eating / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000521:alpha-MSH