Reuben McGregor
@rhcmcg.bsky.social
Summary: Our data supports a model of "epitope spreading" in ARF.
This complexity helps explain why diagnosing and treating the condition is difficult. We likely need to look at multiple pathway level dysfunction rather than single markers.
Read the full paper here doi.org/10.1172/jci....
5/5
This complexity helps explain why diagnosing and treating the condition is difficult. We likely need to look at multiple pathway level dysfunction rather than single markers.
Read the full paper here doi.org/10.1172/jci....
5/5
JCI Insight -
PhIP-Seq uncovers marked heterogeneity in Acute Rheumatic Fever Autoantibodies
doi.org
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Summary: Our data supports a model of "epitope spreading" in ARF.
This complexity helps explain why diagnosing and treating the condition is difficult. We likely need to look at multiple pathway level dysfunction rather than single markers.
Read the full paper here doi.org/10.1172/jci....
5/5
This complexity helps explain why diagnosing and treating the condition is difficult. We likely need to look at multiple pathway level dysfunction rather than single markers.
Read the full paper here doi.org/10.1172/jci....
5/5
Key Finding 3: While patients targeted different specific proteins, these targets converged on shared biological pathways: e.g. sarcomere structure and heart morphogenesis.
The immune system appears to target some common functional areas, but through different antigens.
4/5
The immune system appears to target some common functional areas, but through different antigens.
4/5
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Key Finding 3: While patients targeted different specific proteins, these targets converged on shared biological pathways: e.g. sarcomere structure and heart morphogenesis.
The immune system appears to target some common functional areas, but through different antigens.
4/5
The immune system appears to target some common functional areas, but through different antigens.
4/5
Key Finding 2: Despite the variation, we identified specific new targets.
notably, we found enrichment for PPP1R12B, a regulatory subunit of the myosin phosphatase complex expressed in cardiac muscle, alongside previously known collagen targets.
3/5
notably, we found enrichment for PPP1R12B, a regulatory subunit of the myosin phosphatase complex expressed in cardiac muscle, alongside previously known collagen targets.
3/5
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Key Finding 2: Despite the variation, we identified specific new targets.
notably, we found enrichment for PPP1R12B, a regulatory subunit of the myosin phosphatase complex expressed in cardiac muscle, alongside previously known collagen targets.
3/5
notably, we found enrichment for PPP1R12B, a regulatory subunit of the myosin phosphatase complex expressed in cardiac muscle, alongside previously known collagen targets.
3/5
Key Finding 1: "Public epitopes"—targets shared by many distinct patients—were rare, comprising less than 1% of enriched peptides.
This suggests ARF auto-immune pathogenesis is not driven by a single common antigen, but potentially by a broader breakdown in tolerance.
2/5
This suggests ARF auto-immune pathogenesis is not driven by a single common antigen, but potentially by a broader breakdown in tolerance.
2/5
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Key Finding 1: "Public epitopes"—targets shared by many distinct patients—were rare, comprising less than 1% of enriched peptides.
This suggests ARF auto-immune pathogenesis is not driven by a single common antigen, but potentially by a broader breakdown in tolerance.
2/5
This suggests ARF auto-immune pathogenesis is not driven by a single common antigen, but potentially by a broader breakdown in tolerance.
2/5