Genes, autoimmunity and pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease
Open Access
- 1 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Medknow in Annals of Pediatric Cardiology
- Vol. 4 (1), 13-21
- https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2069.79617
Abstract
Pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains incompletely understood. Several genes associated with RHD have been described; most of these are involved with immune responses. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in a number of genes affect patients with RHD compared to controls. Molecular mimicry between streptococcal antigens and human proteins, including cardiac myosin epitopes, vimentin and other intracellular proteins is central to the pathogenesis of RHD. Autoreactive T cells migrate from the peripheral blood to the heart and proliferate in the valves in response to stimulation with specific cytokines. The types of cells involved in the inflammation as well as different cytokine profiles in these patients are being investigated. High TNF alpha, interferon gamma, and low IL4 are found in the rheumatic valve suggesting an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines and probably contributing to the progressive and permanent valve damage. Animal model of ARF in the Lewis rat may further contribute towards understanding the ARF.Keywords
This publication has 85 references indexed in Scilit:
- Anti-Group A Streptococcal Vaccine EpitopeOnline Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2011
- Cutting Edge: Cardiac Myosin Activates Innate Immune Responses through TLRsThe Journal of Immunology, 2009
- Ficolin 2 (FCN2) functional polymorphisms and the risk of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseClinical and Experimental Immunology, 2009
- B- and T-Cell Responses in Group A Streptococcus M-Protein- or Peptide-Induced Experimental CarditisInfection and Immunity, 2009
- Association of Mannose-Binding Lectin Gene Polymorphism but Not of Mannose-Binding Serine Protease 2 with Chronic Severe Aortic Regurgitation of Rheumatic EtiologyClinical and Vaccine Immunology, 2008
- Pathogen Recognition and Innate ImmunityCell, 2006
- Towards a Vaccine Against Rheumatic FeverJournal of Immunology Research, 2006
- Association between transforming growth factor-β1 gene C-509T and T869C polymorphisms and rheumatic heart diseaseAmerican Heart Journal, 2004
- Cytokines in acute rheumatic feverEuropean Journal of Pediatrics, 1996
- Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart DiseaseCirculation, 1951