Recognition of zinc transporter 8 and MAP3865c homologous epitopes by Hashimoto's thyroiditis subjects from Sardinia: a common target with type 1 diabetes?
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) asymptomatic infection has been previously linked to Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and Multiple Sclerosis. An association between MAP infection and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) was also proposed only in a case report. This study aimed to investigate the robustness of the latter association, testing a large cohort of HT and healthy control (HCs) subjects, all from Sardinia. Prevalence of anti-MAP3865c Abs was assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, given that human ZnT8 is specifically expressed in the pancreatic β-cells, in the follicle epithelial cells and in the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland, we also tested ZnT8 epitopes homologues to the MAP3865c immunodominant peptides previously identified. Indeed, Abs targeting MAP3865c and ZnT8 homologous regions display similar frequencies in patients and controls, thus suggesting that Abs recognizing these epitopes could be cross-reactive. A statistically significant difference was found between HT patients and HCs when analyzing the humoral response mounted against MAP3865c/ZnT8 homologues epitopes. To our knowledge, this is the first report, which provides statistically significant evidence sustaining the existence of an association between MAP sero-reactivity and HT. Further studies are required to investigate the relevance of MAP to HT, aimed at deciphering if this pathogen can be at play in triggering this autoimmune disease. Likewise, genetic polymorphism of the host, and other environmental factors need to be investigated.
Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Sassari, Italy.
Speranza
S
Masala
Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Sassari, Italy.
Davide
D
Cossu
Department of Endocrinology, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) 1, Sassari, Italy.
Mario
M
Palermo
Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Sassari, Italy.
Leonardo Antonio
LA
Sechi
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D000075703:Zinc Transporter 8
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C492522:SLC30A8 protein, human; D000075703:Zinc Transporter 8