title: Prevalence of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in patients with hypothyroidism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a sialic acid synthesized by animals, but not by humans or birds. However, it can be incorporated in human cells and can trigger immune response. In the present study, we detected anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in samples of the general population and of patients suffering from hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's disease, which is known to have autoimmune origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibodies were measured using enzyme-immunosorbent techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum anti-Neu5Gc IgG antibodies were higher in patients with hypothyroidism (mean: 14.8 ± 15.9 μg/mL, median: 10.0 μg/mL, P = 0.0003, Mann-Whitney) and even higher in the group with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (mean: 31.1 ± 16.3 μg/mL, median: 27.2 μg/mL, P = 0.0000, Mann-Whitney) compared to the general population (mean: 5.3 ± 4.7 μg/mL, median : 4 μg/mL). All anti-TPO positive samples had anti-Neu5Gc antibody concentration higher than the mean value of the general population while anti-TPO concentration was increased as anti-Neu5Gc concentration increased. Low concentrations of IgA and IgM antibodies were measured in both general population and patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased values of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in patients with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's disease and the correlation of anti-TPO incidence with increased anti-Neu5Gc concentration raise the possibility of an association between anti-Neu5Gc antibody development and autoimmune hypothyroidism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Phaedra
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8376-752X
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eleftheriou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kynigopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazmanidi
authors.affiliation: 1st Internal Medicine Department, AHEPA University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, St. Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece ; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Kyriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2053-4651
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yovos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skepastianos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vagdatli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petrou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dafni
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papara
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Studies, School of Health and Medical Care, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, TEI Campus Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Efterpiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009438:Neuraminic Acids / Q000276:immunology*; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D009438:Neuraminic Acids; C032592:N-glycolylneuraminic acid; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase