AUTOANTIBODIES – What are they and what is their role in overall health?

Autoantibodies are antibodies produced by the immune system that target and attack the body's own tissues and cells instead of foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Essentially, they are antibodies that mistakenly recognize the body's own proteins or molecules as threats and mount an immune response against them.

The production of autoantibodies is a key feature of autoimmune diseases, which are conditions where the immune system malfunctions and begins to attack healthy cells and tissues. Some common autoimmune diseases where autoantibodies play a central role include:

• Type 1 Diabetes: Autoantibodies against insulin-producing cells in the pancreas contribute to the destruction of these cells and the development of diabetes.
• Multiple Sclerosis: Autoantibodies may target the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells, leading to nerve damage and neurological symptoms.
• Celiac Disease: Autoantibodies against components of gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine in individuals with this autoimmune condition.
• Lupus: Autoantibodies target different tissues and organs, leading to a wide range of symptoms and complications.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) target joints, causing inflammation and joint damage.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Autoantibodies attack the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

The exact cause of autoimmune diseases and the production of autoantibodies is complex and not fully understood. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and dysregulation of the immune system are thought to play roles in their development.

Diagnosing autoimmune diseases often involves detecting the presence of specific autoantibodies in a person's blood or tissues. These tests can help confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. Treatment for autoimmune diseases typically aims to suppress the immune response and reduce inflammation to minimize damage to affected tissues and alleviate symptoms.

From the above analysis we can clearly ascertain that autoantibodies, in general, present extensive challenges to overall health and cell function. Most recently, researchers have discovered a new form of autoantibodies that specifically target the folate receptor alpha. This may prove to be a most important and crucial finding.

Now, why is this such an important finding? And what is the folate receptor alpha, exactly? Why is the discovery of autoantibodies against the folate receptor alpha so significant?

FOLATE RECEPTOR ALPHA – What is it and what is its role in overall health?

Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the transport of the B-vitamin folate (also known as vitamin B9) into cells. Folate is essential for various cellular processes, including DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, making it vital for the growth, development, and maintenance of cells and tissues in the body. FRα acts as a high-affinity receptor for folate, facilitating its uptake into cells. High-affinity merely means that the receptor recognizes and can readily bring in folate into the cell. It’s a very nice and collaborative relationship!

Most importantly, folate receptor alpha is found in the brain (choroid plexus), placenta, ovaries, kidney and lung, among other tissues. It is responsible for bringing folate into these specific entities.

Some key aspects of folate receptor alpha and its function include:

• Folate Transport: FRα is primarily found on the cell surface, and its main function is to bind folate molecules and transport them into the cell. Folate is necessary for the synthesis of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA and RNA), which is critical for cell division and growth.
• Cellular Metabolism: Inside the cell, folate is involved in several metabolic pathways, including the conversion of homocysteine to methionine (an important step in methylation reactions) and the synthesis of thymidine (a component of DNA). Methylation reactions are essential for gene regulation and other cellular processes.
• Significant Role in Pregnancy: Folate is especially important during pregnancy as it is required for proper fetal development, including the formation of the neural tube, which develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. Deficiencies in folate can lead to neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Folate receptor alpha enables proper folate metabolism.

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Clearly, folate receptor alpha has a most critical role in overall cell health and function.

Now, what happens when there are autoantibodies against this important folate receptor alpha?

Essentially, the presence of folate receptor autoantibodies makes the folate receptor alpha dysfunctional and suggests that not enough folate is being transported into the brain and in the cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers have defined this condition as cerebral folate dysfunction syndrome.

FOLATE - What is Folate and why is it important in overall health?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for brain development and overall health for several reasons:

• Cell Division: Folate is necessary for cell division and the formation of new cells. In the developing brain, new neurons and other brain cells are continually being produced. Folate helps ensure that this process occurs correctly.
• DNA Synthesis: Folate plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and repair. During periods of rapid growth and development, such as fetal development, infancy, and adolescence, there is a high demand for DNA synthesis in cells, including those in the brain. Adequate folate is needed to support this process.
• Methylation: Folate is involved in a process called methylation, which regulates gene expression. Proper gene regulation is essential for the development and functioning of the brain. Methylation helps control when and how genes are turned on or off, influencing various aspects of brain development and function.
• Neurotransmitter Function: Folate is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in mood regulation, cognitive function, and overall brain health.
• Cognitive Function: Folate is important for cognitive function throughout life. Inadequate folate intake has been associated with cognitive decline, and folate supplementation may help support cognitive function.

It's worth noting that folate is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it is not stored in the body for long periods. Therefore, it's important to regularly consume folate-rich foods or take supplements (vitamin b9), especially during critical periods of growth and development.

We now clearly understand that Folate is critical for proper health and so is its unperturbed transport into cells. Folate receptor autoantibodies disrupt this important cycle.

FOLATE RECEPTOR AUTOANTIBODIES – What are they and how are they connected to Autism?

Simply put, folate receptor autoantibodies attack the folate receptor alpha, rendering havoc in proper folate transport into the cell. Researchers have identified two unique types of antibodies. One class of autoantibodies binds to the folate receptor alpha at the active site where folate binds and, consequently, blocks folate binding (this type is known as a blocking antibody). The other type of autoantibody binds to an antigenic site not involved in folate binding but can trigger an immune reaction and inflammation and render the receptor nonfunctional (this type is known as a binding antibody). Most often, one or both types of antibodies are present, but the consequences remain the same – the impediment of proper folate transport to the cell. These autoantibodies are detected through a simple blood test known as FRAT^® (Folate Receptor Autoantibody Test).

Research has shown that a large number of children that have been diagnosed with cerebral folate deficiency or autism spectrum disorder have these autoantibodies. As such, it is hypothesized that these autoantibodies block folate transport to the brain in these cases.

One of the most important aspects of this discovery, however, is that it can potentially be treated. More specifically, a special type of reduced folate known as folinic acid (leucovorin) was found to reverse neurologic and developmental abnormalities in many of the children diagnosed with CFD/ASD that had the folate receptor autoantibodies. In fact, some children were found to recover completely from their symptoms. It is believed that being a reduced folate, folinic acid can be transported through another folate receptor known as the Reduced Folate Carrier (RFC), if the Folate Receptor Alpha is blocked by the autoantibodies. Since the RFC has a lower affinity for folate as compared with the FRα, the blood folate concentration needs to be relatively higher to optimize this alternative pathway. In several studies, folinic acid treatment in those that had folate receptor autoantibodies evidenced marked improvements in speech and communication skills and behavior. This is a very exciting development!

Although the science is complicated, the logical underpinnings behind it are simple; and a wise man once said – “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” (Leonardo da ’Vinci).

Folate receptor autoantibodies block folate (a critical nutrient), causing several neurological/neurodevelopmental problems. But this may potentially be corrected by identifying the autoantibodies with FRAT^®, and using an alternate folate (folinic) delivered through an alternate receptor (RFC).

This simple concept certainly requires further investigation and action; the positive results shown thus far demand so!