Molecular Mimicry And Autoimmune Antibodies

[looneymom]

I found a few articles that explain moleculary mimicry and how it causes autoimmune diseases. I had a hard time understanding this concept at first and it did not make much sense. However, this concept has been around for awhile and much research has been going on.

The are several autoimmune disases that will affect the autonomic nervous system and I can see why POTS specialist are beginning to think POTS may be autoimmune related. Sometimes I use the term antineuroal antibodies and these are also considered to be autoimmune antibodies. Autoimmune antibodies can be caused by virues or bacteria. They can cross over the brain barrier and can cause the neurological or psychological symptoms.

I have never been a fan of the word Anxiety but I can understand why doctors are quick to jump to this conclusion. Our doctors need to be educated about the symptoms these antibodies can cause and start testing.

I know that many of you are trying to find the underlying cause of your POTS so you can have a more normal life style. But trying to get doctors to check for some of these things seems impossiple. That's why I encourage you to go to a doctor that you can trust, when you are at your sickest. I say trust because too many doctors want to say your illnesses is caused by anxiety. I know "that's easier said than done". It's helpful to have a support system to get this job done. I have tried to find articles that are easy to read and give examples of illness caused by these antibodies.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266166/

http://www.fasebj.org/content/12/13/1255.full

http://hdfttp://omicsonline.org/autoimmune-disorders-an-overview-of-molecular-and-cellular-basis-in-todays-perspective-2155-9899.S10-003.p

http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Research/VaccineAdvEffectReview/2009-JUN-24/05-Cunningham.pdf

http://ndnr.com/pediatrics/molecular-mimicry-in-pediatric-diseases/

[looneymom]

Here's a couple more articles.

http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/96/3/183.full

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987798/

[looneymom]

Here is another article that deals with GB and molcular mimicry. This articles talks about specific viruses and bacteria that can be associated with GB.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1698092/

[looneymom]

I found another article that's easy to understand. Molecular mimicry has been a very hard thing for doctors to figure out but I do think this is part of my son's medical condition. Doctors are beginning to connect some autoimmune dieseas to this and hopefully getting the right treamtment will become easier for us in the next several years.

http://www.japi.org/march_2010/Article_05.pdf

Edit: Here is new study on GB with a virus that causes it through molecular mimicry.

http://www.jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/21727645/565