Beta IV Spectrin in Normal and Cancer Breast Cells
Abstract
Long-term goal of this application was to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms in human autoimmune paraneoplastic neurological conditions. These syndromes result from the ectopic expression in cancer cells of neuronal antigens followed by the onset of an autoimmune response directed at the cancer tissue. A side effect of this response is an autoimmune impairment of nervous system function. We have identified novel autoantigens of autoimmune paraneoplastic conditions, primarily autoantigens expressed in breast cancer. Recently, we have identified a woman with lower motor neuron syndrome, breast cancer and anti-Beta IV spectrin autoantibodies. The specific goal of this project was to conduct studies on the properties of Beta IV spectrin and to determine whether anti-Beta IV spectrin antibodies are a frequent occurrence in cancer. If this was the case, such antibodies could be used as diagnostic tools and Beta IV spectrin could represent a target for cancer immunotherapy. We have made progress towards the elucidation of Beta IV spectrin function and expression profile. A Beta IV mutant mouse was generated and found to have significant neurological defects, consistent with a critical role of this protein in axonal physiology. However, so far we have failed to obtain evidence for the occurrence of widespread anti-Beta IV spectrin autoimmunity in cancer patients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA418127
Entities
People
- Pietro De Camilli
Organizations
- Yale University