Autoimmunity
SYNOPSIS
Gut microbiota have a significant effect on host response to vaccination where a reduced or absent population of commensal flora coupled with an overgrowth of pathogenic strains may become a microbial predisposition to adverse vaccine reaction.
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Do gut microbiota mediate adverse vaccine reaction?
CITATION
Yuan L, Tsai PCC, Bell K. Do gut microbiota mediate adverse vaccine reaction? Ann Clin Trials Vaccines Res. 2018;2(2):11-12.
SUMMARY
The Yuan Lab has developed Gn pig models representing HGM as healthy (HHGM) and unhealthy (UHGM). They found that vaccinated UHMG pigs had higher viral shedding titres and more severe clinical signs compared to HHGM pigs after virulent HRV challenge. In another study, they found that Lactobacillus partially prevented intestinal injury caused by HRV, ameliorating rotavirus diarrhea. Such studies clearly demonstrate the protective nature of commensal flora and that differences in immune responses and clinical disease are due to the influence of microbial differences.
There is potential for future research using Gn pigs to test childhood vaccines such as Hepatitis B vaccine, currently administered within 12 hours of birth per CDC schedule.
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Several epidemiological studies suggest a link between multiple vaccinations at the time of the military operation and the development of Gulf War iIlness, Macrophagic Myofasciitis and Post-HPV Vaccination Syndrome.
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Gulf war illness, post-HPV vaccination syndrome, and Macrophagic Myofasciitis. Similar disabling conditions possibly linked to vaccine-induced autoimmune dysautonomia.
CITATION
Manuel Martinez-Lavin, Melina Tejada-Ruiz. Autoimmunity Reviews, March 2, 2020; doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102603.
SUMMARY
More than one-fourth of all Persian Gulf War coalition soldiers remain seriously ill with Post-HPV Vaccination Syndrome, Macrophagic Myofasciitis (localized lesions in the muscles found at the site of a vaccination with an aluminium-containing vaccine), and Gulf War Illness. Vaccine-induced autoimmune dysautonomia may be the common underlying mechanism of all three illnesses, characterized by chronic fatigue, widespread pain, and dyscognition (difficulty concentrating, disorganized thinking, memory problems, and inability to stay focused or alert.)
Several epidemiological studies suggest a link between multiple vaccinations at the time of the military operation and the development of these illnesses. Macrophagic Myofasciitis and Post-HPV Vaccination Syndrome are two newer vaccine-related disabling ailments affecting our veterans.
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In susceptible individuals, chronic low Hg exposure may trigger local and systemic inflammation, even exacerbating the already existing autoimmune response in patients with autoimmunity.
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Mercury-induced autoimmunity: Drifting from micro to macro concerns on autoimmune disorders
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SUMMARY
Mercury (Hg) is widely recognized as a neurotoxic metal, besides it can also act as a proinflammatory agent and immunostimulant, depending on individual exposure and susceptibility. Mercury exposure may arise from internal body pathways, such as via dental amalgams, preservatives in drugs and vaccines, and seafood consumption, or even from external pathways, i.e., occupation, environmental pollution, and handling of metallic items and cosmetics containing Hg. In susceptible individuals, chronic low Hg exposure may trigger local and systemic inflammation, even exacerbating the already existing autoimmune response in patients with autoimmunity. Mercury exposure can trigger dysfunction of the autoimmune responses and aggravate immunotoxic effects associated with elevated serum autoantibodies titers. The purpose of the present report is to provide a critical overview of the many issues associated with Hg exposure and autoimmunity. In addition, the paper also focuses on individual susceptibility and other health effects of Hg.
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The CDC vaccine schedule results in a high degree of chronic aluminum toxicity in the first seven months of life.
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Acute exposure and chronic retention of aluminum in three vaccine schedules and effects of genetic and environmental variation
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SUMMARY
This study shows that the CDC vaccine schedule results in a high degree of chronic aluminum toxicity in the first seven months of life—a time period critically important to neurodevelopment and immune system development. The authors reached this conclusion after assessing “time spent in toxicity” (defined as “the percentage of days of each week an infant spends with a body burden that exceeds the minimum safe level”) for the CDC schedule and two other lower-aluminum schedules. Important safety considerations include aluminum adjuvant dose per vaccine, spacing of aluminum-containing vaccines, the child’s weight at the time of vaccination and genetic variants that may limit ability to clear aluminum. Changes to the vaccine schedule, including use of vaccines that do not contain aluminum, can significantly reduce “time spent in toxicity.”
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The origin of polyarthritis post-arthritogenic alphaviral infections may also be mediated through a hitherto unknown autoimmune response due to the presence of cross-reactive epitopes between viral and human proteins.
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A possible role for autoimmunity through molecular mimicry in alphavirus mediated arthritis
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SUMMARY
Alphaviral infections are foremost in causing debilitating clinical outcomes in humans characterized by rheumatic arthritis like conditions. Though the presence of virus in joints and associated inflammation has been implicated as one of the reasons for the acute and chronic polyarthritis post alphaviral infections, the basis for rheumatic like outcomes is not clear. through an in silico analysis, we have investigated the possibility of an autoimmune process mediated through molecular mimicry in alphaviral infection induced pathogenicity. interestingly, sequence alignment of the structural polyproteins belonging to arthritogenic alphaviruses revealed conserved regions which share homology with human proteins implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). these conserved regions were predicted to exhibit binding to HLA class ii alleles, showcasing their potential to incite t cell help. Molecular docking of the viral peptide and the corresponding homologous region in the human protein onto HLA-DRB1 revealed strong similarities in their binding patterns. Linear and conformational B cell epitope prediction analyses showed that these potential mimics have high propensity to elicit an efficient B cell response. We thus propose that the origin of polyarthritis post-arthritogenic alphaviral infections may also be mediated through a hitherto unknown autoimmune response due to the presence of cross-reactive epitopes between viral and human proteins.
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Compelling data have shown that gut microbiota (GM) are closely liaised with various types of autoimmune diseases in the form of dysbiosis- alteration of individual species and/or global communities of the GM (dysbiosis) which can give rise to different outcomes of autoimmune conditions. Certainly, gut microbiome could possibly be applied as a biomarker for autoimmune diseases prediction.
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Autoimmune Diseases and Gut Symbionts: The Unpopular Liaison
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SUMMARY
In the past few years, compelling data have shown the potential crosstalk between dysbiosis of gut microbiota (GM) and impairment of systemic immune system. Since then, ideas on how GM partake in autoimmune conditions was put forward. Although genetic variability have been proven to contribute towards the pathogenesis of autoimmune conditions, epigenetics control have gained interest among researchers. Current review highlights the crosstalk between autoimmune conditions and GM and its potential regulatory mechanisms. Convincing data from existing literature help in paving ways for more well-defined species in the future studies. The studies should focus on identifying the distinct species involve in different types of autoimmune diseases and their definitive role in autoimmunity. Ultimately, these data can be used for the advancement of therapeutic approach in personalized medicine.
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Residual animal, plant, fungal, aeroallergen proteins (non-target proteins in general) in vaccines cause numerous disorders including rheumatoid arthritis. The solution is to immediately remove all non-target antigens from vaccines using technologies such as affinity chromatography.
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Autoepitopes (22 of 27) in rheumatoid arthritis differ from vaccine antigens by a single amino acid residue, ideal for low affinity self reactive T cell mediated autoimmunity and aluminum adjuvant promotes citrullination of vaccine antigens thus the synthesis of ACPA
CITATION
Arumugham, Vinu. 2019, September.
SUMMARY
Vaccines are manufactured using animal, plant, fungal derived growth media or recombinant organisms. They contain residual quantities of all these proteins. Vaccine makers do not want to spend the money to completely remove these residual proteins. Due to molecular mimicry between these proteins and human self-proteins, immune responses directed against vaccine proteins can result in autoimmune diseases.
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This preliminary study provides evidence that post-vaccination abnormal autoimmunity plays an important role in the development of unique symptoms after HPV vaccination.
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Autoantibodies against Autonomic Nerve Receptors in Adolescent Japanese Girls after Immunization with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
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SUMMARY
In Japan a significant number of adolescent girls complain of unusual symptoms after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination that are considered adverse effects of HPV vaccination. However, a causal link between HPV vaccination and these adverse effects has not been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated autoantibodies against diverse G-protein coupled receptors in the serum of girls who complained of possible adverse effects after HPV vaccination. This preliminary study provides evidence that post-vaccination abnormal autoimmunity plays an important role in the development of unique symptoms after HPV vaccination.
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Severe, long-term disability and even death can occur in a subset of individuals vulnerable to “HPV vaccination syndrome.”
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Autoimmunity, autonomic neuropathy, and the HPV vaccination: a vulnerable subpopulation
Citation
Schofield JR, Hendrickson JE. Clinical Pediatrics. 2018;57(5):603-606.
Summary
The authors describe the first biopsy-proven case of serious nerve damage developing within days of HPV vaccination, with an evident link between symptom onset and vaccination. The authors advocate for “increased [provider] awareness of the potential for neurological complications” resulting from HPV vaccination, particularly due to the “devastating clinical outcome of severe, long-term disability and even death of [a vulnerable subset] affected by the HPV vaccination syndrome.”
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Adolescents given meningococcal vaccines have experienced a wide variety of serious adverse events, including new autoimmune conditions and death.
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Post-licensure safety surveillance study of routine use of quadrivalent meningococcal diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine
CITATION
Hansen J, Zhang L, Klein NP, et al. Vaccine 2017;35(49 Pt B):6879-84.
SUMMARY
Adolescents receiving the Menactra® meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY-D) in 2005-2006 experienced a variety of adverse events in the six months following vaccination—including death—but the researchers (one of whom was affilated with the vaccine’s manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur) concluded that only two diagnoses (diabetes and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) were “possibly related to vaccination.” After comparing 31,000 Kaiser Permanente patients who received the MenACWY-D vaccine to 31,000 matched teens who had received a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) or hepatitis vaccine the previous year, the researchers assessed 1660 outcomes and determined that 1.3% were “significantly elevated” in the meningococcal group. There were two deaths in vaccinees with cancer (“with onset preceding vaccination”) following MenACWY-D vaccination as well as a third cardiac-related death; there was also one fetal death in a young woman who received Menactra® during pregnancy. Many of the adverse events, including difficulty breathing, occurred two or more months following vaccination.
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A number of factors can predispose susceptible individuals to autoimmune reactions following vaccination.
TITLE
Vaccination and autoimmune diseases: is prevention of adverse health effects on the horizon?
CITATION
Vadalà M, Poddighe D, Laurino C, Palmieri B. European Association for Predictive Preventive & Personalized Medicine Journal. 2017;8(3):295-311.
SUMMARY
This review discusses possible underlying mechanisms of autoimmune reactions following vaccinations and cases of autoimmune diseases that have been correlated with vaccination. Molecular mimicry and bystander activation are possible mechanisms by which vaccines can cause autoimmune reactions. The individuals who might be susceptible to develop these reactions could be those with previous post-vaccination phenomena, those with allergies, individuals who are prone to develop autoimmune diseases (such as those with a family history of autoimmunity or with known autoantibodies) and genetically predisposed individuals.
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Israeli, Canadian and Colombian scientists show that the Gardasil vaccine triggers brain inflammation and autoimmunity in mice.
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Behavioral abnormalities in female mice following administration of aluminum adjuvants and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil
CITATION
Inbar R, Weiss R, Tomljenovic L, Arango M-T, Deri Y, Shaw CA, Chapman J, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y. Immunologic Research. 2017;65(1):136-149.
SUMMARY
“Vaccine adjuvants and vaccines may induce autoimmune and inflammatory manifestations in susceptible individuals. To date most human vaccine trials utilize aluminum (Al) adjuvants as placebos despite much evidence showing that Al in vaccine-relevant exposures can be toxic to humans and animals…. It appears that Gardasil via its Al adjuvant and HPV antigens has the ability to trigger neuroinflammation and autoimmune reactions, further leading to behavioral changes…. In light of these findings, this study highlights the necessity of proceeding with caution with respect to further mass-immunization practices with a vaccine of yet unproven long-term clinical benefit in cervical cancer prevention.”
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The specific mechanism of action of each vaccine adjuvant may have different effects on the course of autoimmune conditions resulting from vaccination.
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On vaccine’s adjuvants and autoimmunity: Current evidence and future perspectives
CITATION
Pellegrino P, Clementi E, Radice S. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2015;14(10):880-888.
SUMMARY
Adjuvants in vaccines have been implicated in “Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants” (ASIA), an umbrella of clinical conditions that includes post-vaccination adverse reactions. Aluminum-based compounds, in particular, are associated with the development of vaccine adjuvant-induced autoimmune diseases, but vaccines with other adjuvants may also cause specific autoimmune adverse reactions via different pathogenic mechanisms. The specific mechanism of action of each single adjuvant may have different effects on the course of different diseases.
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Evidence points to vaccine-induced autoimmunity and adjuvant-induced autoimmunity in experimental models and human patients.
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Vaccines, adjuvants and autoimmunity
CITATION
Guimarães LE, Baker B, Perricone C, Shoenfeld Y. Pharmacological Research. 2015;100:190-209.
SUMMARY
This review of the literature assembles evidence of vaccine-induced autoimmunity and adjuvant-induced autoimmunity in both experimental models as well as human patients. Adjuvants and infectious agents may exert their immune-enhancing effects through various functional activities, encompassed by the adjuvant effect. These mechanisms are shared by different conditions triggered by adjuvants leading to the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA).
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Some individuals are at risk of developing autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA).
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Predicting post-vaccination autoimmunity: who might be at risk?
CITATION
Soriano A, Nesher G, Shoenfeld Y. Pharmacological Research, 2015;92:18-22. Epub 2014 Sep 30.
SUMMARY
It has been postulated that autoimmunity could be triggered or enhanced by a vaccine’s immunogen contents, as well as by adjuvants, which are used to increase the immune reaction to the immunogen. Fortunately, vaccination-related ASIA (autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants) is uncommon. Yet, by defining individuals at risk, it may be possible to further limit the number of individuals developing post-vaccination ASIA.
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Vaccines are implicated in the epidemic of childhood food allergies.
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Evidence that food proteins in vaccines cause the development of food allergies and its implications for vaccine policy
CITATION
Arumugham V. Journal of Developing Drugs. 2015;4:137.
SUMMARY
Studies, including by the Institute of Medicine, have demonstrated that food proteins contained in vaccines/injections can induce food allergy. Allergen quantities in vaccines are unregulated. C-section births bias a newborn’s immune system toward IgE synthesis due to the development of a suboptimal gut microbiome. Vaccines contain adjuvants such as aluminum compounds and pertussis toxin that also bias toward IgE synthesis. Over several decades, C-section birth rates have gone up 50%, and the vaccine schedule has increased the number of vaccine shots, with up to five vaccines administered simultaneously. “Given these conditions, the predictable and observed outcome is a food allergy epidemic.”
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Israeli and Italian researchers demonstrate that exposure to aluminum in vaccines can lead to autoimmune and brain dysfunction.
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Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) 2013: Unveiling the pathogenic, clinical and diagnostic aspects
CITATION
Perricone C, Colafrancesco S, Mazor RD, Soriano A, Agmon-Levin N, Shoenfeld Y. Journal of Autoimmunity. 2013;47:1-16.
SUMMARY
Environmental factors play a critical role in the induction of autoimmunity, with an interplay between genetic susceptibility and environment. Several neurologic demyelinating diseases have been reported following vaccination, notably Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system). A number of the most common vaccines appear to have some involvement with autoimmunity.
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Canadian researchers: aluminum in vaccines can cause both autoimmunity and neurological damage.
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Aluminum in the central nervous system (CNS): toxicity in humans and animals, vaccine adjuvants, and autoimmunity
CITATION
Shaw C, Tomljenovic L. Immunologic Research. 2013;56:304–316.
SUMMARY
“In young children, a highly significant correlation exists between the number of pediatric aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines administered and the rate of autism spectrum disorders. Many of the features of aluminum-induced neurotoxicity may arise, in part, from autoimmune reactions, as part of the ASIA syndrome. Aluminum is added to vaccines to help the vaccine work more effectively, but unlike dietary aluminum which will usually clear rapidly from the body, aluminum used in vaccines and injected is designed to provide a long-lasting cellular exposure. Thus, the problem with vaccine-derived aluminum is really twofold: It drives the immune response even in the absence of a viral or bacterial threat and it can make its way into the central nervous system. It is not really a matter of much debate that aluminum in various forms can be neurotoxic.”
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Scientists from Mexico and Israel explain adjuvants (aluminum) used in vaccines can induce autoimmunity.
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Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (Shoenfeld’s syndrome): clinical and immunological spectrum
CITATION
Vera-Lastra O, Medina G, Del-Pilar Cruz Dominguez M, Jara LJ. Expert Reviews-Clinical Immunology. 2013;9(4):361-373.
SUMMARY
Activation of the immune system by adjuvants could trigger manifestations of autoimmunity or autoimmune disease. Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) includes postvaccination phenomena, macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF), Gulf War syndrome and siliconosis. Various adjuvants used in vaccines enhance a specific immune response against antigens and may produce autoimmunity and autoimmune disease in experimental models and humans. “The clinical and laboratory data support an association between adjuvants and autoimmune diseases.”
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Canadian researchers review literature on autoimmunity and neurological risks from vaccine adjuvant aluminum, express doubts regarding safety testing.
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Mechanisms of aluminum adjuvant toxicity and autoimmunity in pediatric populations
CITATION
L Tomljenovic, CA Shaw. Lupus. 2012;21:223–230.
SUMMARY
“Immune challenges during early development, including those vaccine-induced, can lead to permanent detrimental alterations of the brain and immune function. Experimental evidence also shows that simultaneous administration of as little as two to three immune adjuvants can overcome genetic resistance to autoimmunity. In spite of the widespread agreement that vaccines are largely safe and serious adverse complications are extremely rare, a close scrutiny of the scientific literature does not support this view. For example, to date, the clinical trials that could adequately address vaccine safety issues have not been conducted (i.e., comparing health outcomes in vaccinated versus non-vaccinated children). Infants and young children should not be viewed as ‘small adults.’ Their unique physiology makes them much more vulnerable to noxious environmental insults in comparison with the adult population. In spite of this, children are routinely exposed to much higher levels of Al vaccine adjuvants than adults, even though adequate safety data on these compounds are lacking. That Al vaccine adjuvants can induce significant autoimmune conditions in humans can hardly be disputed, although still debatable is how common such side effects are. However, the existing data (or lack thereof) raise questions on whether the current vaccines aimed at pediatric populations can be accepted as having adequate safety profiles. Because infants and children represent those who may be most at risk for complications following vaccination, a more rigorous evaluation of potential vaccine-related adverse health impacts in pediatric populations than what has been provided to date is urgently needed.”
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It is feasible that vaccinations may contribute to the mosaic of autoimmunity.
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Vaccines and autoimmune diseases of the adult
CITATION
Orbach H, Agmon-Levin N, Zandman-Goddard G. Discovery Medicine. 2014;10(2):101-107.
SUMMARY
Infectious agents contribute to the environmental factors involved in the development of autoimmune diseases possibly through molecular mimicry mechanisms. Hence, it is feasible that vaccinations may also contribute to the mosaic of autoimmunity. Evidence for the association of vaccinations and the development of these diseases is presented in this review.
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Swedish researchers found that children who had natural measles infection had much lower rates of allergy than children vaccinated against measles.
TITLE
Allergic disease and atopic sensitization in children in relation to measles vaccination and measles infection
CITATION
Rosenlund H, Bergstrom A, Alm JS, … PARSIFAL Study Group. Pediatrics. 2009;123(3):771-778.
SUMMARY
In these analyses, measles infection [natural measles] was inversely associated with any allergic symptom or physician’s diagnosis of allergy, suggesting that natural measles infection may protect against allergies in children.