We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

THE BINDING SITE

Engages in the research, development, manufacture, and distribution of immunodiagnostic assays, as wel as specialized... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




IL-1RA Antibodies in Myocarditis After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Sep 2022

Myocarditis associated with messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) predominantly affects male adolescents and young male adults (14 to <30 years of age) and typically occurs after receipt of the second vaccine dose. More...

In adults with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), it has recently been discovered that neutralizing autoantibodies targeting the endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), which inhibits interleukin-1 signaling and inflammation.

A large team of Medical Scientists led by those at Saarland University (Homburg, Germany) evaluated the prevalence of antibodies neutralizing IL-1RA and progranulin, which inhibits tumor necrosis factor signaling, in 69 patients (14 to 79 years of age) who had clinically suspected myocarditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A total of 61 patients underwent endomyocardial biopsy. Myocarditis was confirmed by biopsy in 40 of 61 patients.

For immunohistological detection of cardiac immune cells, a monoclonal rabbit-anti-CD3 antibody (Novocastra Laboratories, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), a monoclonal mouse anti-human CD68 antibody and a monoclonal mouse anti-human HLA-DR alpha-chain antibody (DAKO, Hamburg, Germany) were used. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on an automated immunostainer following the manufacturer’s protocol (Benchmark; Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, AZ, USA) and using the Ventana ultraView detection system and diaminobenzidine as substrate. ELISA for antibodies was performed including assays for IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 (Binding Site Group, Birmingham, UK) and IL-1-Ra plasma levels were determined with a commercially available ELISA kit (Invitrogen/ThermoFisher, Carlsbad, CA; USA). Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and Western blotting (including native Western blotting with non-reducing sample pretreatment and gradient gels without SDS) was also performed.

The investigators reported that among patients with histologically confirmed myocarditis, anti–IL-1RA antibodies were found in 9/12 patients (75%) younger than 21 years of age, as compared with 3/28 patients (11%) 21 years of age or older. Anti–IL-1RA antibodies were not detectable in the 21 patients in whom biopsy ruled out the diagnosis of myocarditis. IL-1RA antibody–positive patients with biopsy-confirmed myocarditis had an early onset of symptoms, which occurred mostly after receipt of the second vaccine dose, and a milder course of myocarditis than patients with biopsy-confirmed myocarditis but without anti–IL-1RA autoantibodies.

At the time of acute myocarditis, the mean (±SD) free IL-1RA plasma level in 15 patients who were seropositive for anti–IL-1RA antibodies was 236 ± 82 pg/mL, whereas the level was 1,736 ± 312 pg/mL in 33 patients without anti–IL-1RA antibodies and 1,599 ± 277 pg/mL in 21 patients in whom histologic testing ruled out the diagnosis of myocarditis. IL-1RA plasma levels correlated with markers of cardiac damage (troponin T, creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, or pro–B-type natriuretic peptide), cardiac-tissue infiltration of CD3+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages, and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein).

The authors concluded that in their study of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination–associated myocarditis and anti–IL-1RA antibodies should be interpreted within the context that the transiency of hyperphosphorylation and patients’ HLA haplotypes were not known. Neutralizing antibodies against IL-1RA and a hyperphosphorylated IL-1RA isoform were observed in young male patients with biopsy-confirmed myocarditis after the receipt of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. These antibodies impaired IL-1RA bioactivity in vitro, were associated with low circulating levels of IL-1RA, and were found in patients with biomarker evidence of cardiac damage and inflammation. The study was published on September 21, 2022 in the journal the New England Journal of Medicine.

Related Links:
Saarland University
Novocastra Laboratories
DAKO
Ventana Medical Systems
Binding Site Group
Invitrogen/ThermoFisher


New
Gold Member
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Rapid Molecular Testing Device
FlashDetect Flash10
6 Part Hematology Analyzer with RET + IPF
Mispa HX 88
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tool enables scientists to track real-time fluctuations in T cell function with unprecedented speed and precision (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Luminescent Probe Measures Immune Cell Activity in Real Time

The human immune system plays a vital role in defending against disease, but its activity must be precisely monitored to ensure effective treatment in cancer therapy, autoimmune disorders, and organ transplants.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration supports clinical validation and regulatory submissions of the new T1D 4-plex assay on Revvity’s GSP instrument (Photo courtesy of Revvity)

Revvity and Sanofi Collaborate on Program to Revolutionize Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing beta cells, leading to dependence on insulin therapy. Early detection is critical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.