Alpha-fodrin as a putative autoantigen in Graves’ ophthalmopathy

Abstract

SummaryAlpha-fodrin, an intracellular organ-specific cytoskeleton protein is a recently identified autoantigen associated with Sicca-and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS frequently affects patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). We have therefore cloned and expressed the human recombinant 120-kDa fodrin-fragment. A sequential purification procedure was applied to isolate the recombinant protein. Using sera from patients with SS, the antigenicity of the purified fodrin fragment was demonstrated by immunoblotting. Sera from 144 patients with GO and 1200 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-a a a a -fodrin IgA and IgG antibodies by a newly developed ELISA using the human a a a a -fodrin fragment as an autoantigen. In contrast to controls (< < < < 1% IgA only, P < < < < 0·001) and to subjects with various autoimmune diseases ( P < < < < 0·001), a a a a -fodrin antibodies were detected in 22% of patients with GO ( n = = = = 32). IgA and IgG antibodies were present in 21 (15%) and 14 (10%) GO subjects, respectively. A total of 45 patients with GO (31%) had at least one fodrin-or SS-antibody. GO patients with SS showed SS-and high titres of a a a a -fodrin-antibodies. In GO patients, fodrin antibodies correlated with TPO-( P < < < < 0·05) and SS-A ( P = = = = 0·002) antibodies. Thus, for the first time, antibodies reactive with fodrin are reported in patients with GO.

Discrimination between Sjögren's and Non-Sjögren's Sicca Syndrome by Sialoscintigraphy and Antibodies against α-Fodrin and Ro/La Autoantigens

“…Besides SS, α-fodrin is also present in the serum of patients with other related diseases, such as glaucoma and Graves' ophthalmopathy. 27,28 Thus, it is perhaps not surprising that a higher prevalence of α-fodrin positivity was detected in the NSS patients in the present study.…”

Psychosocial morbidity of Graves’ orbitopathy

“…On the day of psychometric testing, a complete ophthalmic investigation was performed and an assessment of the severity and activity of GO was carried out 18–20 . Proptosis and eye muscle involvement were assessed using a Hertel exophthalmometer and the Gorman diplopia score, respectively.…”

“…16,17 On the day of psychometric testing, a complete ophthalmic investigation was performed and an assessment of the severity and activity of GO was carried out. [18][19][20] Proptosis and eye muscle involvement were assessed using a Hertel exophthalmometer and the Gorman diplopia score, respectively. Mild GO was defined as minimal soft tissue swelling, proptosis < 25 mm, no diplopia, and corneal or optic nerve involvement.…”

Immunogene Hyperthyreose als Immunrekonstitutionssyndrom unter HIV-Therapie

“…Ein Studie wies bei 22% seronegativer Patienten mit endokriner Ophthalmopathie Antikörper gegen Alpha-Fodrin nach, die auch mit der Menge an Anti-TPO-und -SS-A-Antikör-pern korrelierten [11]. Auch bei Patienten mit Hashimoto-Thyreoiditis fanden sich erhöhte Mengen von Alpha-Fodrin-Antikörpern in Korrelation zu Anti-Thyeoglobulin-Antikörpern [16].…”