A comprehensive evaluation of serum autoantibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis

• Published in: Journal of autoimmunity Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 55 - 58
• Main Authors: Agmon-Levin, Nancy, Shapira, Yinon, Selmi, Carlo, Barzilai, Ori, Ram, Maya, Szyper-Kravitz, Martine, Sella, Sara, Katz, Bat-sheva Porat, Youinou, Pierre, Renaudineau, Yves, Larida, Bruno, Invernizzi, Pietro, Gershwin, M. Eric, Shoenfeld, Yehuda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Allergy and Immunology; Anti-nuclear antibodies; Anti-phospholipid antibodies; Anti-prothrombin antibodies; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Antibodies, Antinuclear - blood; Autoimmune cholangitis; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Progression; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulin M - blood; Immunology; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - blood; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - diagnosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - immunology; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - physiopathology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Prognosis; Prothrombin; Prothrombin - immunology; Risk Assessment; Thrombophilia; Vasculitis; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Anti-nuclear antibodies; Anti-prothrombin antibodies; Autoimmune cholangitis; Anti-phospholipid antibodies; Autoimmunity; Antibody; Cholangitis; Autoantibody; Phospholipid; Hepatic disease; Biliary tract disease; Infection; Immunology; Bacteriosis; Prothrombin; Digestive diseases; Serum; Coagulation factor
• ISSN: 0896-8411; 1095-9157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2009.08.009

Abstract In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) serum markers other than anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are promising in terms of disease severity and comorbidities, as well represented by anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA). The aim of the present study was thus to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of a large profile of serum autoantibodies in PBC sera. We utilized 69 sera from European patients with PBC (including 20 AMA-negative) and 297 sera from geographically and sex-matched healthy controls. All sera were tested for the presence of ANA and autoantibodies associated with thrombophilia, vasculitis, and gastrointestinal disease. Autoantibodies other than AMA were detected in 53/69 (76%) PBC sera vs . 105/297 (35%) among controls. The prevalence of ANA (targeting dsDNA, Sm, chromatin, ribosomal-P, RNP, SmRNP, SSA, SSB, and centromere) and thrombophilia-associated autoantibodies (i.e. anti-β2GPI, phosphatydilserine, prothrombin) was common among patients with PBC. When clinical features were compared, the presence of anti-prothrombin IgM was associated with a worse prognosis as represented by a higher Mayo score. We demonstrate an increased prevalence of ANA and thrombophilia-associated autoantibodies in PBC sera and an association between the latter autoantibodies and PBC stage. The role of thrombophilia-associated antibodies will warrant further studies, based in particular on the incidence of portal hypertension at early stages of PBC.