Folate receptor (Folr1) functionality and antibodies

[Waverunner]

Could it be that Folr1 functionality determines how well we react to folic acid in case of an already working methylation cycle? Moreover I heard that anti folate receptor auto-antibodies can keep folate out of the CNS. Is there a way to test for these auto-antibodies or does this only account for folic acid but not for folinic acid?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2860927/

The folate pathway plays a crucial role in the regeneration and repair of the adult CNS after injury. Here, we have shown in rodents that such repair occurs at least in part through DNA methylation. In animals with combined spinal cord and sciatic nerve injury, folate-mediated CNS axon regeneration was found to depend on injury-related induction of the high-affinity folate receptor 1 (Folr1). The activity of folate was dependent on its activation by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (Dhfr) and a functional methylation cycle. The effect of folate on the regeneration of afferent spinal neurons was biphasic and dose dependent and correlated closely over its dose range with global and gene-specific DNA methylation and with expression of both the folate receptor Folr1 and the de novo DNA methyltransferases. These data implicate an epigenetic mechanism in CNS repair. Folic acid and possibly other nontoxic dietary methyl donors may therefore be useful in clinical interventions to promote brain and spinal cord healing. If indeed the benefit of folate is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms that promote endogenous axonal regeneration, this provides possible avenues for new pharmacologic approaches to treating CNS injuries.

 

[determined]

Thanks for posting this waverunner! I'm always looking for articles on this topic.

 

[aprilk1869]

You'll want to read Jeff's post at Better Medicine (formerly Wrong Diagnosis)

http://forums.bettermedicine.com/sh...is-commonly-misdiagnosed.?p=298013#post298013

Freddd, and others,

I have been a member of this board for a few years now, but have been away for some time as I have begun seeing Dr. Neubrander for my issues. I should probably catch up and write a longer update, but I feel I might have information that shouldn't wait. I have noticed a shift on this board towards investigating folate deficiency (please correct me if I am wrong). Long, long story short, I am now seeing an associate of Dr. Neubrander's, Scott Smith (http://www.fullpotentialwellnesscenter.com/6.html). We have made some miraculous strides in my health, with our recent hypothesis pointing towards cerebral folate deficiency (CFD). I'm not sure if I am sharing known information, but if not, here is a good summary from another board about what we believe to be the cause - folate receptor auto-antibodies: http://www.mecfsforums.com/index.php?topic=7009.0

Scott Smith had me tested for folate receptor auto-antibodies as part of a study being conducted by Dr. Edward Quadros (referenced in the above link) and sure enough, I tested positive for blocking and binding antibodies, even with having stopped milk consumption almost 1 year ago (I'm happy to share all of my test results upon request). Scott had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Quadros last weekend for several hours and it sounds like they will continue to collaborate moving forward. The antibodies (thought to derive from milk consumption), combined with MTHFr mutations, likely reduced my folate utilization significantly over the course of my life, leading to other serious deficiencies and conditions.

Scott has started me on Deplin 15mg (http://www.deplin.com/DeplinFacts,VsFolicAcid) and the results have been remarkable. I had a fairly miserable start-up reaction, I think because I did not adequately titrate the dose. However, I have seen major, major improvements over the past few weeks.

I can get into everything in more detail if anyone is interested. I have test results, research materials, and lots of personal experience in working with Dr. Neubrander and Scott since September. I am certainly not as savvy with the more technical aspects, but with the fog lifting, I'm catching up.

I hope everyone is progressing.

Jeff

 

[Waverunner]

Thanks so much for posting this AprilK. Deplin seems to be a great development but my overall goal for now is to stay away from milk because soluble milk folate receptor seems to cross-react with human FR.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715943/

"One likely mechanism for autoantibody production could be that exposure to soluble FR from milk elicits an immune response."