Recognition of zinc transporter 8 and MAP3865c homologous epitopes by Hashimoto's thyroiditis subjects from Sardinia: a common target with type 1 diabetes?

PLoS One. 2014 May 15;9(5):e97621. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097621. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cation Transport Proteins / immunology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / ethnology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / ethnology*
  • Hashimoto Disease / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Zinc Transporter 8

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • SLC30A8 protein, human
  • Zinc Transporter 8

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Sardinian Region L.R.7 2009 and 2010 Progetti di ricerca di base-, PRIN MIUR Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale Protocollo: 2009ZYECWZ and Italian Minister of Health, "Finalized Research" Protocollo: RF-2009-1545765, to LAS. The present publication was produced as part of the RAS research project selection code 06/A3-10, developed at Sassari University by Speranza Masala and supported by P.O.R. Sardinia F.S.E. 2007–2013; Axis IV human capitals, Line of Business l.3.1. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.