Antibodies prepared to neuronal glutamate receptor subunit3 bind IFN alpha-receptors: Implications for an autoimmune process

Anti-glutamate receptor (GluR) agonist-like antibodies prepared in rabbits that are similar to autoantibodies found in Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) w ere found to exhibit greater immunoreactivity towards human interferon alph a receptor (IFNAR-1) than to GluR3, Since antibodies prepared to a defined region of GluR3 can react preferentially to an unrelated sequence in the hu man IFNAR-1, we propose that the IFNAR-1 may be an heteroclitic antigen of GluR3, These results suggest that differential reactivity toward heteroclit ic antigens may contribute to variable clinical characteristics of certain autoimmune diseases.