A thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy concluded that a flaw in one of the immune system's enzymes determines the degree of the severity of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
These new findings can explain the way that this enzyme deficiency can be diagnosed and also why these diseases can vary so much.
The immune system is based on white blood cells, that play a vital role in fighting against pathogens.
The white blood cells contain an enzyme that transforms oxygen into reactive oxygen radicals – which break down microorganisms and stop infections, called NADPH oxidase.
These new studies have used animal models to show that an inadequate production of oxygen radicals can favor the development of autoimmune diseases, as the patient's immune system would attack itself.
The body has an ability of producing reactive oxygen radicals at an early stage in the immune defense against pathogens, and this has a serious impact on the way that these illnesses develop.
Natalia Mossberg, doctoral student at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, said that “a strong but controlled production of oxygen radicals by the immune system is important for subduing illnesses such as MS and GBS.”
These are the two autoimmune diseases that were covered by this thesis, as they can vary from insignificant to life-threatening, and their mechanism needed to be revealed.
Mossberg says that they “wanted to look at this in humans, and examined the NADPH oxidase in the white blood cells of patients with MS, GBS and recurring GBS (RGBS).
The immune system is based on white blood cells, that play a vital role in fighting against pathogens.
The white blood cells contain an enzyme that transforms oxygen into reactive oxygen radicals – which break down microorganisms and stop infections, called NADPH oxidase.
These new studies have used animal models to show that an inadequate production of oxygen radicals can favor the development of autoimmune diseases, as the patient's immune system would attack itself.
The body has an ability of producing reactive oxygen radicals at an early stage in the immune defense against pathogens, and this has a serious impact on the way that these illnesses develop.
Natalia Mossberg, doctoral student at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, said that “a strong but controlled production of oxygen radicals by the immune system is important for subduing illnesses such as MS and GBS.”
These are the two autoimmune diseases that were covered by this thesis, as they can vary from insignificant to life-threatening, and their mechanism needed to be revealed.
Mossberg says that they “wanted to look at this in humans, and examined the NADPH oxidase in the white blood cells of patients with MS, GBS and recurring GBS (RGBS).
Special Note: Stuart has MS and his dad has/had GBS
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8 comments:
I also have MS and my father had GBS. Also, for what it is worth my daughter had spinal menengitis at 18 months. All 3 generations with a central nervous system immune system disorder. Coincidence?
Dear MS Day Dreamer, Being my kids are not a product of me, I would have to wonder if mine, could have been a third generation with autoimmune disease, as well...
I am thankful that my daughter fully recovered and now at 25 has no signs from having spinal menengitis. She was lucky.
I was diagnosed with MS 1 yr ago. In hind sight I had symptoms starting many years ago, but 2009 was the first major issue that started the diagnostic process.
My father contracted GBS after a flu shot in Nov 2002. He died in May of 2005. Initially he had full paralysis and had to spend time in a long term care facility that specialized in working with stroke patients. He relearned how to walk and returned home. Later he had complications, and was in and out of the hospital, slowly losing ground, one set back after another until he never fully recovered.
My daughter now worries what her future will be given the family history.
MY DAD got GB after a flu shot in the early 90's and nevr fully recovered, physically.. I remember when he was in ICU within 24 hours of coming down with the illness and of concern of course was that his heart or lung muscles would cease to work... Yes he survived but has nothing but Pain and lack of muscle control in much of his body, since the onset..
I will confirm all that MS Day Dreamer said. I am her daughter, and she has a point, because I do often wonder, when I eventually have kids of my own will I need to worry about this sort of thing. I've tried looking into family trees before, but as for any type of medical history I really can only look at the 3 generations. But that is 3 out of 3 generations with autoimmune diseases. Kinda scary.
I once saw a commercial on TV that freaked me out a bit. It was advertising the Flu shot vaccinations for younger kids. But in the last few seconds of the commercial as they spoke a mile a minute, one of the precautions was that if you child had previously had meningitis then they may be more susceptible to contracting GBS. That commercial really threw me through a loop, as I am the one that had meningitis, and my papa got GBS from a flu shot and passed from complications. So as of now, I am more then happy not getting a flu shot and just dealing with the flu if an when I get it. I don't want to take any chances. But it's scary...
Please read well where it says "a strong and controlled production of oxigen radical...."
I am not a doctor or expert but I have read that NADPH oxidase is a major cause of atherosclerosis. So, I guess that's why the word "controlled production" is highlighted, an imbalance on the other side is not good either. More is not better.
I have hed MS for 18 years. My mother came down with Guillian-Barre very suddenly about 10 years ago. She recovered very well, although her symptoms, especially lack of balance, are worsening as she ages. I use a scooter, although I can walk poorly. We both have our worst sympoms in our right legs. I know that MS is the central nervous systm and GB is periferal, but these are powerful similarities in a mother and daughter. Are there any new medical studies that discuss whether there is a conection between MS and GB?
Cindy,
I have asked many MS researchers about a possible correlation between MS and GB (Guillane Barre) and have always been told, that except that they are both autoimmune, the answer is no. I was asking, as mentioned in an earlier comment, because was hit with the illness in the early 90's and although peripheral, he never made a complete comeback.
Regards,
Stuart
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