New unknown risk factor for arteriosclerosis identified
Date:
January 9, 2017
Source:
Medical University of Vienna
Summary:
Following a blood infection, the first class of antibodies produced by the immune system are IgM antibodies. They form the "vanguard" of the immune response, before other cells are activated to fight the infection. Some people are deficient or completely lack these antibodies, so that they develop congenital immune deficiency. Researchers have now discovered how this deficiency can also lead to an increased risk of arteriosclerosis and consequently even to serious cardiovascular diseases.
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FULL STORY
Following a blood infection, the first class of antibodies produced by the immune system are IgM antibodies. They form the "vanguard" of the immune response, before other cells are activated to fight the infection. Some people are deficient or completely lack these antibodies, so that they develop congenital immune deficiency. Together with the CeMM (the Austrian Academy of Sciences Research Center for Molecular Medicine), researchers from MedUni Vienna's Division of Medical-Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics have now discovered how this deficiency can also lead to an increased risk of arteriosclerosis and consequently even to serious cardiovascular diseases.
In the human immune system, IgM antibodies (immunoglobulin M) not only play a primary role in the immune response but also maintain an important balance: they control the physiological development of B cells, which are responsible for producing and disposing of antibodies. They therefore also regulate the blood concentration of IgE antibodies and make sure that this is kept in check and always restored to the correct level to keep the immune system in balance. However, if there is a lack of IgM antibodies, this balance cannot be maintained. The uncontrolled IgE antibodies, which also play a significant role in the development of allergic reactions, lead to the increased formation of plaques, activation of mast cells and inflammatory processes and constrict and damage blood vessels. This was proven by the team headed up by Christoph Binder and lead author of the study, Dimitrios Tsiantoulas, in an animal model.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170109093017.htm
