Is It Really Autoimmunity? | El Paso, TX. | Part I

The western diet is associated with inflammation, and inflammation is central to autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. Keeping the inflammation down can help in lengthening time between attacks. What to eat and what not to eat are the common questions. In order to quiet  inflammation triggers, educate ourselves and live a normal life is the focus.

My 2006 Seminar Series

“Understanding the Origins of Autoimmune Disease”

Autoimmunity:

The Central Question I Asked In This series,

Are We Allergic to Ourselves?

– Autoantibodies

– Are they really “autoantibodies”?

– Self or Non‐self?

I would like to re‐explore this question using what we have learned in 2018.

www.aarda.org

Endocrine

Endocrine Thyroid

Endocrine‐Thyroid

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal & Kidney

Neurological

Autoimmunity

Our Immune system in battle with our self?

Presence of Anti‐Chromatin, DNA and RNA Antibodies

What Biological Processes May Make Self Into Non‐Self?

• Post‐translationalmodificationofProtein
  – Glycation of protein
  – Protein Oxidation
  – Amino Acid Conjugation of Protein (Citrullinated Protein/AntiCCP and RA)
• ProteinSynthesisErrors
• DNA and RNA Changes
  – Radiation Induced Crosslinking of DNA
  – Oxidation of DNA
  – Copy Errors not corrected by DNA repair process – Epigenetic Changes (the methylome)

Where Do Anti‐Cyclic Citrullinated Peptides (AntiCCPs) Come From?

• Activation of the immune system resulting in increased iNOS production of nitric oxide
• Arginine residues in proteins can be converted in situ into citrulline with the release of nitric oxide by iNOS
• The citrulline produced in the protein is now “foreign” and can be recognized by the immune system as such
• Antibodies can then be produced against this “foreign protein”

Disease Modifying Anti‐Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

The Facts on Methotrexate For Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis, yet it only helps about half of those who try it. Find out how it works and how to lessen its side effects.

Folate Inhibition To Block Immune Cell Proliferation

TNF Alpha Blocking Biologicals

• Humira
• Enbrel

UNASSISTED COST APPROXIMATELY $6000 PER MONTH

• Xeljanz

Targeting The Autoimmune Inflammatory Signaling Process With Phytochemicals

Autoantibodies Are Increasing At Least Five Years Before Diagnosis Of SLE

NEJM 2003; 349: 1526‐33.

The Argument For Preventing Self From Becoming Non‐Self

A Systems Biology Approach To Prevention

NEJM. 2018; 378: 1761‐64.

NEJM. 2017; 377: 465‐74.

J Autoimmun. 2012; 39(3): 154‐60.

Mechanisms By Which Hypomethylated Immune Cells Can Induce Antibodies Associated With SLE

NEJM. 2018; 378: 1323‐34.

Transmitting SNPs Through Behavioral Epigenomics

Science. 2018; 359: 424‐28.

The Atlantic March 3, 2017

Frage MF et al. PNAS 2005; July 26: 10604‐09.

Environ Health Perspect. 2008; 116(11): 1547‐1552.

High Correlation Of POPs With DNA Hypomethylation

Environ Health Perspect. 2008; 116(11): 1547‐1552.

Jeffrey Bland, PhD

Chairman Emeritus & Member, Board of Directors The Institute for Functional Medicine