2024
Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography specifically detects autoantibodies targeting the ganglionic acetylcholine receptor in patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy
Baxter L, Hopkins S, O'Connor K, Pham M, Nowak R, Monson N, Blackburn K, Hibbs R, Vernino S, Noviello C. Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography specifically detects autoantibodies targeting the ganglionic acetylcholine receptor in patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy. Journal Of Neuroimmunology 2024, 396: 578454. PMID: 39277987, DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578454.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAutoimmune autonomic ganglionopathyGanglionic acetylcholine receptorAutonomic ganglionopathyRadioimmunoprecipitation assayFluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatographyAcetylcholine receptorsAutoantibody detectionClinical symptomsDetect autoantibodiesAutoimmune diseasesHealthy controlsPatient seraSize-exclusion-chromatographyAutoantibodiesGAChRGanglionopathySize exclusion chromatographyPatientsReceptorsUnveiling the proteome-wide autoreactome enables enhanced evaluation of emerging CAR-T therapies in autoimmunity
Bodansky A, Yu D, Rallistan A, Kalaycioglu M, Boonyaratanakornkit J, Green D, Gauthier J, Turtle C, Zorn K, O'Donovan B, Mandel-Brehm C, Asaki J, Kortbawi H, Kung A, Rackaityte E, Wang C, Saxena A, de Dios K, Masi G, Nowak R, O'Connor K, Li H, Diaz V, Saloner R, Casaletto K, Gontrum E, Chan B, Kramer J, Wilson M, Utz P, Hill J, Jackson S, Anderson M, DeRisi J. Unveiling the proteome-wide autoreactome enables enhanced evaluation of emerging CAR-T therapies in autoimmunity. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2024, 134: e180012. PMID: 38753445, PMCID: PMC11213466, DOI: 10.1172/jci180012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchB-cell maturation antigenImmunomodulatory therapyPlasma cell-targeted therapyCAR-T therapyCell-targeted therapyAutoantibody mediated diseasesCAR-TAnti-CD19Maturation antigenAutoantibody profileAutoreactive antibodiesTargeted therapyPlasma cellsAutoimmune diseasesAutoantibody repertoireTherapyMediated diseasesAutoantibodiesTherapeutic interventionsProteome-wideDisease statesDiseaseImmunological fingerprintPhIP-SeqMinimal effect
2023
Precision targeting of autoantigen-specific B cells in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase myasthenia gravis with chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells
Oh S, Mao X, Manfredo-Vieira S, Lee J, Patel D, Choi E, Alvarado A, Cottman-Thomas E, Maseda D, Tsao P, Ellebrecht C, Khella S, Richman D, O’Connor K, Herzberg U, Binder G, Milone M, Basu S, Payne A. Precision targeting of autoantigen-specific B cells in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase myasthenia gravis with chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells. Nature Biotechnology 2023, 41: 1229-1238. PMID: 36658341, PMCID: PMC10354218, DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01637-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMuscle‐specific tyrosine kinase myasthenia gravisReceptor T cellsB cellsT cellsMyasthenia gravisChimeric autoantibody receptor T cellsCD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cellsAutoantigen-specific B cellsChimeric antigen receptor T cellsAntigen receptor T cellsAnti-MuSK antibodiesB-cell depletionTotal IgG levelsClinical study designInvestigational new drug applicationChronic immunosuppressionIgG levelsMuscle weaknessAutoimmune diseasesCell depletionCurrent therapiesSimilar efficacyCytolytic activityMouse modelNew drug applications
2022
Myasthenia gravis complement activity is independent of autoantibody titer and disease severity
Fichtner ML, Hoarty MD, Vadysirisack DD, Munro-Sheldon B, Nowak RJ, O’Connor K. Myasthenia gravis complement activity is independent of autoantibody titer and disease severity. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0264489. PMID: 35290370, PMCID: PMC8923450, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264489.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutoantibody titersComplement activityDisease activityMyasthenia gravisComplement pathwayAcetylcholine receptor autoantibodiesAutoimmune myasthenia gravisSecondary complement deficiencyClassical complement pathwayAChR autoantibodiesReceptor autoantibodiesClinical statusAutoimmune diseasesHealthy controlsComplement deficiencyPatients associatesStudy subjectsCandidate biomarkersDisease statusDisease severitySignificant associationDisease pathologyTitersAutoantibodiesPatients
2020
Autoimmune Pathology in Myasthenia Gravis Disease Subtypes Is Governed by Divergent Mechanisms of Immunopathology
Fichtner ML, Jiang R, Bourke A, Nowak RJ, O’Connor K. Autoimmune Pathology in Myasthenia Gravis Disease Subtypes Is Governed by Divergent Mechanisms of Immunopathology. Frontiers In Immunology 2020, 11: 776. PMID: 32547535, PMCID: PMC7274207, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLipoprotein receptor-related protein 4Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathyMuSK myasthenia gravisMyasthenia gravisDisease subtypesPathogenic autoantibodiesNeuromyelitis opticaPemphigus vulgarisFab-arm exchangeNeuromuscular junctionAChR myasthenia gravisDistinct immune mechanismsInflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathyAutoimmune myasthenia gravisContribution of complementMuscle-specific kinaseNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsSubtype of diseaseDemyelinating polyneuropathyMG subtypesMG patientsAutoantibody productionClinical benefitAutoimmune diseasesAutoimmune pathologyMonovalent IgG4 autoantibodies require self-antigen driven affinity maturation to acquire pathogenic capacity
Fichtner M, Vieni C, Redler R, Jiang R, Suarez P, Nowak R, Burden S, Bhabha G, Ekiert D, O’Connor K. Monovalent IgG4 autoantibodies require self-antigen driven affinity maturation to acquire pathogenic capacity. The Journal Of Immunology 2020, 204: 224.39-224.39. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.204.supp.224.39.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMuSK myasthenia gravisMyasthenia gravisUnmutated common ancestorPathogenic capacityB-cell-mediated autoimmune diseasesAntigen-driven affinity maturationCell-mediated autoimmune diseaseMuscle-specific tyrosine kinaseSubset of patientsAutoreactive B cellsMonovalent antigen-binding fragmentsAffinity maturationHuman monoclonal autoantibodiesUnique autoantibodiesIgG4 autoantibodiesPathogenic autoantibodiesAutoimmune disordersAutoimmune responseAutoimmune diseasesSelf antigensIgG4 subclassAutoantibodiesMG autoantibodiesB cellsFab-arm exchange
2019
Autoantibodies against Neurologic Antigens in Nonneurologic Autoimmunity
Stathopoulos P, Chastre A, Waters P, Irani S, Fichtner ML, Benotti ES, Guthridge JM, Seifert J, Nowak RJ, Buckner JH, Holers VM, James JA, Hafler DA, O’Connor K. Autoantibodies against Neurologic Antigens in Nonneurologic Autoimmunity. The Journal Of Immunology 2019, 202: ji1801295. PMID: 30824481, PMCID: PMC6452031, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801295.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSystemic lupus erythematosusRheumatoid arthritisControl cohortNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorderSurface AgOptica spectrum disorderMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoproteinHealthy donor seraType 1 diabetesB cell toleranceNeurologic autoimmunitySLE patientsLupus erythematosusSuch autoantibodiesT1D patientsAutoimmune diseasesHigh titer AbsOligodendrocyte glycoproteinSystemic autoimmunityDonor seraLarge cohortRare caseAutoantibodiesAquaporin-4Cell tolerance
2017
B cells in the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis
Yi JS, Guptill JT, Stathopoulos P, Nowak RJ, O’Connor K. B cells in the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis. Muscle & Nerve 2017, 57: 172-184. PMID: 28940642, PMCID: PMC5767142, DOI: 10.1002/mus.25973.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsMyasthenia gravisB cellsMuscle-specific tyrosine kinaseArchetypal autoimmune diseaseMuscle end platesProduction of autoantibodiesMost patientsPathogenic autoantibodiesAutoimmune diseasesAdaptive immunityHuman studiesAcetylcholine receptorsFunctional AChRsNeuromuscular junctionPostsynaptic proteinsAutoantibodiesCellular immunologyMolecular immunologyGravisImmunopathologyPathologyAChRImmunologyTyrosine kinaseEnd plates
2016
Restoring immune tolerance in neuromyelitis optica
Steinman L, Bar-Or A, Behne J, Benitez-Ribas D, Chin P, Clare-Salzler M, Healey D, Kim J, Kranz D, Lutterotti A, Martin R, Schippling S, Villoslada P, Wei C, Weiner H, Zamvil S, Yeaman M, Smith T, Consortium G, Aktas O, Amezcua L, Appiwatanakul M, Asgari N, Banwell B, Bennett J, Bowen J, Cabre P, Chitnis T, Cohen J, De Seze J, Fujihara K, Han M, Hellwig K, Hintzen R, Hooper D, Iorio R, Jacob A, Jarius S, Kim H, Kissani N, Klawiter E, Kleiter I, Lana-Peixoto M, Leite M, Levy M, Lublin F, Draayer Y, Marignier R, Matiello M, Nakashima I, O’Connor K, Palace J, Pandit L, Paul F, Prayoonwiwat N, Riley C, Ruprecht K, Saiz A, Siritho S, Tenembaum S, Weinshenker B, Wingerchuk D, Würfel J. Restoring immune tolerance in neuromyelitis optica. Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation 2016, 3: &na;. PMID: 27648463, PMCID: PMC5015539, DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000276.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsNMO/SDNeuromyelitis opticaImmune toleranceAquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel proteinKey immune mechanismsImmune tolerizationDevelopment of cancerEmpirical therapyOptic nerveRandomized trialsImmunologic suppressionAutoimmune diseasesSerious infectionsAstrocyte dysfunctionCurrent therapiesImmune mechanismsSpinal cordClinical variantsDominant autoantigenAquaporin-4Therapeutic restorationRestorative techniquesTherapyOpticaPatientsRestoring immune tolerance in neuromyelitis optica
Bar-Or A, Steinman L, Behne J, Benitez-Ribas D, Chin P, Clare-Salzler M, Healey D, Kim J, Kranz D, Lutterotti A, Martin R, Schippling S, Villoslada P, Wei C, Weiner H, Zamvil S, Smith T, Yeaman M, Aktas O, Amezcua L, Appiwatanakul M, Asgari N, Banwell B, Bennett J, Bowen J, Cabre P, Chitnis T, Cohen J, De Seze J, Fujihara K, Han M, Hellwig K, Hintzen R, Hooper D, Iorio R, Jacob A, Jarius S, Kim H, Kissani N, Klawiter E, Kleiter I, Lana-Peixoto M, Leite M, Levy M, Lublin F, Draayer Y, Marignier R, Matiello M, Nakashima I, O’Connor K, Palace J, Pandit L, Paul F, Prayoonwiwat N, Riley C, Ruprecht K, Saiz A, Siritho S, Tenembaum S, Weinshenker B, Wingerchuk D, Würfel J. Restoring immune tolerance in neuromyelitis optica. Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation 2016, 3: &na;. PMID: 27648464, PMCID: PMC5015540, DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000277.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsNMO/SDImmune toleranceAquaporin-4Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorderNormal host defense mechanismsOptica spectrum disorderHost defense mechanismsOral tolerizationNeuromyelitis opticaOptic nerveParticular brain regionsAutoimmune diseasesAstrocyte functionSpinal cordClinical variantsNovel therapiesDominant autoantigenClinical developmentPotential cureB cellsBrain regionsExperimental modelDiseaseCharacteristic phenotypeAutoantigens
2014
Interleukin-10+ Regulatory B Cells Arise Within Antigen-Experienced CD40+ B Cells to Maintain Tolerance to Islet Autoantigens
Kleffel S, Vergani A, Tezza S, Nasr M, Niewczas MA, Wong S, Bassi R, D’Addio F, Schatton T, Abdi R, Atkinson M, Sayegh MH, Wen L, Wasserfall CH, O’Connor K, Fiorina P. Interleukin-10+ Regulatory B Cells Arise Within Antigen-Experienced CD40+ B Cells to Maintain Tolerance to Islet Autoantigens. Diabetes 2014, 64: 158-171. PMID: 25187361, PMCID: PMC4274804, DOI: 10.2337/db13-1639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIslet autoantigensB cellsT1D patientsInterleukin-10IL-10-producing B cellsHyperglycemic nonobese diabetic miceRegulatory B-cell responsesAutoreactive T cell responsesT cell-mediated responsesRole of BregsB-cell depletionRegulatory B cellsNonobese diabetic (NOD) miceNOD mouse modelT cell responsesB cell responsesType 1 diabetesB cell receptorAdoptive transferDiabetic miceAutoimmune diseasesHuman ILHyperglycemic miceMouse modelBregsChapter 52 Multiple Sclerosis
Hernandez A, O’Connor K, Hafler D. Chapter 52 Multiple Sclerosis. 2014, 735-756. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-384929-8.00052-6.ChaptersMultiple sclerosisT cellsCell subsetsInflammatory autoimmune diseaseRegulatory T cellsT cell subsetsCNS white matterB cell subsetsImmune dysregulationTh1 subsetAutoimmune diseasesHumoral responseDisease evolutionInfectious agentsGenetic susceptibility lociProgressive neurodegenerationWhite matterCurrent diseaseGenetic riskDiseasePotential roleSclerosisSusceptible hostsTherapyPutative role
2013
Specific peripheral B cell tolerance defects in patients with multiple sclerosis
Kinnunen T, Chamberlain N, Morbach H, Cantaert T, Lynch M, Preston-Hurlburt P, Herold KC, Hafler DA, O’Connor K, Meffre E. Specific peripheral B cell tolerance defects in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2013, 123: 2737-2741. PMID: 23676463, PMCID: PMC3668812, DOI: 10.1172/jci68775.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB cell tolerance checkpointsB cell tolerance defectsMultiple sclerosisRheumatoid arthritisTolerance checkpointsB cellsPeripheral B cell tolerance checkpointsTolerance defectsAutoreactive B cell clonesMature naive B cellsType 1 diabetesAutoreactive B cellsB cell toleranceCentral nervous systemNaive B cellsB cell clonesB cell selectionEarly B cell developmentIPEX patientsMost patientsTreg functionHomeostatic proliferationAutoimmune diseasesPatientsHealthy individuals
2005
Characterization of in vivo expanded OspA-specific human T-cell clones
Ausubel LJ, O'Connor KC, Baecher-Allen C, Trollmo C, Kessler B, Hekking B, Merritt D, Meyer AL, Kwok B, Ploegh H, Huber BT, Hafler DA. Characterization of in vivo expanded OspA-specific human T-cell clones. Clinical Immunology 2005, 115: 313-322. PMID: 15893699, DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2005.02.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT cell clonesMajor histocompatibility complex class II tetramersTreatment-resistant Lyme arthritisCD4 T-cell clonesDistinct T-cell clonesT cell receptor repertoireHuman T cell clonesClass II tetramersBeta chainT cell recognitionTCR contact residuesTCR beta chainT cell receptorCell flow cytometryTCR usageImmune compartmentLyme arthritisAutoimmune diseasesMicrobial antigensT cellsOspA epitopeImmunodominant epitopesSynovial fluidReceptor repertoireReactive clones
2003
Myelin basic protein-reactive autoantibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients are characterized by low-affinity interactions
O'Connor KC, Chitnis T, Griffin DE, Piyasirisilp S, Bar-Or A, Khoury S, Wucherpfennig KW, Hafler DA. Myelin basic protein-reactive autoantibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients are characterized by low-affinity interactions. Journal Of Neuroimmunology 2003, 136: 140-148. PMID: 12620653, DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(03)00002-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMyelin basic proteinMultiple sclerosisCerebrospinal fluidSoluble myelin basic proteinSemple rabies vaccinePresence of autoantibodiesMultiple sclerosis patientsSera of patientsFraction of patientsAnti-MBP antibodiesHigh-affinity autoantibodiesBasic proteinMBP autoantibodiesRelevant autoantibodiesMS patientsSclerosis patientsAutoimmune diseasesHumoral responseRabies vaccineAutoantibodiesPatientsImmunodominant antigensSerumDiseaseSolid-phase assays