Abstract | HYPOTHESIS: BACKGROUND: Serum antibodies of patients with hearing loss recognize several proteins that are proposed as possible antigenic targets in the ear. This often leads to a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune inner ear disease, although it is not clear how these antibodies cause inner ear disease. Therefore, to better understand the relationship of autoantibodies and ear disease, an examination was made of serum autoantibodies in the MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) autoimmune mouse with hearing loss. Similar antibody patterns in the mouse would provide an animal model in which to investigate potential autoimmune mechanisms of this clinical ear disorder. METHODS: RESULTS: The autoimmune mouse sera showed significantly greater antibody reactivity against all of the antigens when compared with normal mouse sera. CONCLUSIONS: Serum antibodies from autoimmune mice recognized several putative autoantigens reported for patients with hearing loss, suggesting that comparable antigen-antibody mechanisms might be operating. However, the recognition of multiple antigens did not identify any one as being the specific target in autoimmune hearing loss. The correlation of antibodies in the MRL/MpJ-Fas(lpr) autoimmune mouse and human studies indicates this animal model should aid further investigations into potential cochlear antigens in autoimmune hearing loss.
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Authors | Steven H Hefeneider, Sharon L McCoy, Frances A Hausman, Dennis R Trune |
Journal | Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
(Otol Neurotol)
Vol. 25
Issue 3
Pg. 250-6
(May 2004)
ISSN: 1531-7129 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15129101
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Autoantibodies
- Autoantigens
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Topics |
- Animals
- Autoantibodies
(blood, immunology)
- Autoantigens
(blood, immunology)
- Autoimmune Diseases
(diagnosis, immunology)
- Cochlea
(immunology, physiology)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Hearing Loss
(immunology)
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
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