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Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are a diverse group of conditions characterized by aberrant B cell and T cell reactivity to normal constituents of the host. These diseases occur widely and affect individuals of all ages, especially women. Among these diseases, the most prominent immunological manifestation is the production of autoantibodies, which provide valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, classification and disease activity. Although T cells have a key role in pathogenesis, they are technically more difficult to assay. In general, autoimmune disease results from an interplay between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition to autoimmunity is complex and can involve multiple genes that regulate the function of immune cell populations. Less frequently, autoimmunity can result from single-gene mutations that affect key regulatory pathways. Infection seems to be a common trigger for autoimmune disease, although the microbiota can also influence pathogenesis. As shown in seminal studies, patients may express autoantibodies many years before the appearance of clinical or laboratory signs of disease - a period called pre-clinical autoimmunity. Monitoring autoantibody expression in at-risk populations may therefore enable early detection and the initiation of therapy to prevent or attenuate tissue damage. Autoimmunity may not be static, however, and remission can be achieved by some patients treated with current agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Pisetsky
- Duke University Medical Center, Medical Research Service, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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Fritzler MJ, Bentow C, Beretta L, Palterer B, Perurena-Prieto J, Sanz-Martínez MT, Guillen-Del-Castillo A, Marín A, Fonollosa-Pla V, Callejas-Moraga E, Simeón-Aznar CP, Mahler M. Anti-U11/U12 Antibodies as a Rare but Important Biomarker in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13071257. [PMID: 37046475 PMCID: PMC10093660 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-nuclear (ANA) are present in approximately 90% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and are key biomarkers in supporting the diagnosis and determining the prognosis of this disease. In addition to the classification criteria autoantibodies for SSc [i.e., anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70), anti-RNA polymerase III], other autoantibodies have been associated with important SSc phenotypes. Among them, anti-U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies, also known as anti-RNPC-3, were first reported in a patient with SSc, but very little is known about their association and clinical utility. The U11/U12 RNP macromolecular complex consists of several proteins involved in alternative mRNA splicing. More recent studies demonstrated associations of anti-anti-U11/U12 antibodies with SSc and severe pulmonary fibrosis as well as with moderate to severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Lastly, anti-U11/U12 autoantibodies have been strongly associated with malignancy in SSc patients. Here, we aimed to summarize the knowledge of anti-U11/U12/RNPC-3 antibodies in SSc, including their seroclinical associations in a narrative literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin J. Fritzler
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Chelsea Bentow
- Research and Development, Werfen, Autoimmunity Headquarters and Technology Center, San Diego, CA 92131-1638, USA
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Scleroderma Unit and (Referral) Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Boaz Palterer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Janire Perurena-Prieto
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Sanz-Martínez
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Guillen-Del-Castillo
- Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Marín
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicent Fonollosa-Pla
- Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Pilar Simeón-Aznar
- Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Mahler
- Research and Development, Werfen, Autoimmunity Headquarters and Technology Center, San Diego, CA 92131-1638, USA
- Correspondence: or
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Di Pietro L, Chiccoli F, Salvati L, Vivarelli E, Vultaggio A, Matucci A, Bentow C, Mahler M, Parronchi P, Palterer B. Anti-RuvBL1/2 Autoantibodies Detection in a Patient with Overlap Systemic Sclerosis and Polymyositis. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12010013. [PMID: 36810518 PMCID: PMC9944113 DOI: 10.3390/antib12010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-RuvBL1/2 autoantibodies have recently been detected in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and scleromyositis overlap syndromes. These autoantibodies exhibit a distinct speckled pattern in an indirect immunofluorescent assay on Hep-2 cells. We report the case of a 48 year old man with facial changes, Raynaud's phenomenon, puffy fingers, and muscle pain. A speckled pattern on Hep-2 cells was identified, but the conventional antibody testing was negative. Based on the clinical suspicion and the ANA pattern, further testing was sought demonstrating anti-RuvBL1/2 autoantibodies. Hence, a review of the English literature was performed to define this newly emerging clinical-serological syndrome. With the one here reported, a total of 52 cases have been described to date (December 2022). Anti-RuvBL1/2 autoantibodies are highly specific for SSc and are associated with SSc/PM overlaps. Apart from myopathy, gastrointestinal and pulmonary involvement are frequently observed in these patients (94% and 88%, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Di Pietro
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Fabio Chiccoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Salvati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Allergology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Azienda Usl Toscana Sud Est, San Donato Hospital, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Vivarelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Immunoallergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vultaggio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Immunoallergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Matucci
- Immunoallergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Chelsea Bentow
- Research and Development, Autoimmunity, Werfen, Autoimmunity Headquarters and Technology Center, San Diego, CA 92131-1638, USA
| | - Michael Mahler
- Research and Development, Autoimmunity, Werfen, Autoimmunity Headquarters and Technology Center, San Diego, CA 92131-1638, USA
| | - Paola Parronchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Immunology and Cell Therapy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Boaz Palterer
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Moritz CP, Do LD, Tholance Y, Vallayer PB, Rogemond V, Joubert B, Ferraud K, La Marca C, Camdessanché JP, Honnorat J, Antoine JC. Conformation-stabilizing ELISA and cell-based assays reveal patient subgroups targeting three different epitopes of AGO1 antibodies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:972161. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.972161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies (Abs) are biomarkers for many disease conditions and are increasingly used to facilitate diagnosis and treatment decisions. To guarantee high sensitivity and specificity, the choice of their detection method is crucial. Via cell-based assays, we recently found 21 patients with neurological diseases positive for antibodies against argonaute (AGO), 10 of which having a neuropathy (NP). Here, we established a simple and conformation-sensitive ELISA with the aim to distinguish between AGO1 Abs against conformational epitopes and non-conformational epitopes and to reveal further characteristics of AGO1 antibodies in NP and autoimmune disease (AID). In a retrospective multicenter case/control and observational study, we tested 434 patients with NP, 274 disease controls with AID, and 116 healthy controls (HC) for AGO1 Abs via conformation-stabilizing ELISA. Seropositive patients were also tested for conformation-specificity via comparative denaturing/stabilizing ELISA (CODES-ELISA), CBA positivity, AGO1 titers and IgG subclasses, and AGO2 reactivity. These parameters were statistically compared among different epitope-specific patient groups. We found Abs in 44 patients, including 28/434 (6.5%) NP, 16/274 (5.8%) AID, and 0/116 (0%) HC. Serum reactivity was consistently higher for AGO1 than AGO2. Globally among the 44 AGO1 Abs-positive patients, 42 were also tested in CBA for AGO1 Abs positivity and 15 (35.7%) were positive. Furthermore, 43 were tested for conformation-specificity and 32 (74.4%) bound a conformational epitope. Among the subgroups of highly positive patients (ELISA z-score >14) with sera binding conformational epitopes (n=23), 14 patient sera were also CBA positive and 9 bound a second conformational but CBA-inaccessible epitope. A third, non-conformational epitope was bound by 11/43 (15.6%). Among the epitope-specific patient subgroups, we found significant differences regarding the Abs titers, IgG subclass, and AGO2 reactivity. When comparing AGO1 Abs-positive NP versus AID patients, we found the conformation-specific and CBA inaccessible epitope significantly more frequently in AID patients. We conclude that 1) conformational ELISA was more sensitive than CBA in detecting AGO1 Abs, 2) serum reactivity is higher for AGO1 than for AGO2 at least for NP patients, 3) AGO1 Abs might be a marker-of-interest in 6.5% of NP patients, 4) distinguishing epitopes might help finding different patient subgroups.
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Chin A, Choi MY, Fritzler MJ. Gaps and Trends in Autoantibody Testing. J Appl Lab Med 2022; 7:362-366. [PMID: 34996094 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfab153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Chin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - May Y Choi
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marvin J Fritzler
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Veenbergen S, Kozmar A, van Daele PL, Schreurs MW. Autoantibodies in Sjögren's syndrome and its classification criteria. J Transl Autoimmun 2021; 5:100138. [PMID: 35024595 PMCID: PMC8728464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated injury of exocrine glands. Extensive lymphocytic infiltrates may contribute to the destruction and loss of secretory function of glands. B-cell hyperactivity is a key feature of the disease resulting in the production of a diverse array of autoantibodies in these patients. Although not specific for SS, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies have been useful biomarkers for disease classification and diagnosis. During recent years, novel autoantibodies have been discovered in SS. In this review, we summarize the historical role and clinical relevance that autoantibodies have played in the classification criteria of Sjögren's syndrome, discuss laboratory aspects in antibody detection and review the role of novel autoantibodies in predicting particular stages of the disease, clinical phenotypes and long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Veenbergen
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Kozmar
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Paul L.A. van Daele
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allergology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco W.J. Schreurs
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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