Abstract
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapidly progressive, monophasic, and potentially devastating immune-mediated neuropathy in humans. Preceding infections trigger the production of cross-reactive antibodies against gangliosides concentrated in human peripheral nerves. GBS is elicited by at least five distinct common bacterial and viral pathogens, speaking to the notion of polymicrobial disease causation. This opinion emphasizes that GBS is the best-supported example of true molecular mimicry at the B cell level. Moreover, we argue that mechanistically, single and multiplexed microbial carbohydrate epitopes induce IgM, IgA, and IgG subclasses in ways that challenge the classic concept of thymus-dependent (TD) versus thymus-independent (TI) antibody responses in GBS. Finally, we discuss how GBS can be exemplary for driving innovation in diagnostics and immunotherapy for other antibody-driven neurological diseases.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 296-308 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Trends in Immunology |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the Dutch MS Research Foundation (J.D.L.) and the Zabawas Foundation (J.D.L.). B.C.J. was supported by Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds , GBS-CIDP Foundation International , Annexon, CSL-Behring, Grifols, and Hansa Biopharma. R.H. was funded by GBS-CIDP Foundation International and the T2B collaboration project funded by a PPP Allowance made available by Top Sector Life Sciences & Health to Samenwerkende Gezondheidsfondsen (SGF) under project number LSHM18055-SGF to stimulate public-private partnerships and cofinancing by health foundations that are part of the SGF. G.J.B. was funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health (grant U01GM120408). The authors thank Margot van der Maarel for a first version of Table 1 and Anna Sieben for artwork in several figures.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Antibody Formation
- Autoantibodies
- Gangliosides
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome/etiology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G
- Molecular Mimicry