Autoantibodies Associated with Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

The identification of circulating autoantibodies contributes to the correct diagnosis as well as to the follow-up of rheumatic diseases. Some autoantibodies are even included in diagnostic and classification criteria for these types of autoimmune diseases. There are several relatively specific screening and identification methods for the measurement of autoantibodies available. The type of assay crucially influences the diagnostic value of the parameters. In general, routine laboratories should prefer enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) using well characterized antigens, although ELISA tests tend to produce more false-positive and true weakly positive results, which reduce their positive predictive value. Therefore one should be aware that laboratory results can only be properly interpreted when there is a correlation with the clinical situation and when the limitations of the technologies used for autoantibody identification have been taken into consideration. A diagnostic algorithm consisting of screening and identification steps should be established by each laboratory in order to create a rational, evidence-based and cost-effective basis for the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.

Determination of cut‐off titers and agreement between immunofluorescence and immunoblotting methods for detecting antinuclear antibodies in children

“…This method is inexpensive, easy to perform, and has high sensitivity and specifity (2). Advances in technology have recently provided a new methodology options for ANA testing, such as immunoblotting (IB), enzyme immunoassays (5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Current practices in antinuclear antibody testing: results from the Belgian External Quality Assessment Scheme

“…Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens (antinuclear antibodies, ANAs) are useful as diagnostic markers for a variety of autoimmune diseases (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Tests for ANAs are widely used in clinical laboratories and many different reagents and techniques are available.…”

“…Tests for ANAs are widely used in clinical laboratories and many different reagents and techniques are available. The most common method is a microscope-based indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF-ANA) with cultured human epidermoid carcinoma (human epithelial cell line 2, HEp-2) cells as substrate for antibody binding (3,5,7). The precision and accuracy of the technique depends on the assay configuration, the quality control procedures, and the experience of the reader (4,5,7).…”

Human autoantibodies as reagents in biomedical research

“…The association of specific autoantibodies with organ-specific and systemic autoimmune disease is well documented and reviewed. 5,6 However, not all autoantibodies have a clinical utility. Nevertheless, the study of autoantibodies and their cognate autoantigens can provide valuable insight into disease mechanisms and contribute to the development of novel technologies that ameliorate or reverse disease.…”