Polycystic ovary syndrome and autoimmunity

Serum Levels of Anti-histone and Anti-double-Strand DNA Antibodies Before and After Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

“…We found that patients with PCOS have significantly higher levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-histone antibodies compared to those with unexplained infertility and healthy fertile subjects. These findings are consistent with previous studies [8,9] suggestive of an autoimmune etiology in pathogenesis of PCOS. We also found that laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization results in increased levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-histone antibodies in patients with PCOS.…”

“…Several lines of evidence indicate that autoimmunity is responsible for several ovarian disorders including POF, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, and PCOS [8,15]. Detection of AOA in these patients is suggestive of an autoimmune process in pathogenesis of the disease.…”

“…However, serum levels of anti-dsDNA, anti-histone, and anti-nucleosome antibodies increased significantly 1 month after diagnostic laparoscopy. In addition, it has been shown that patients with PCOS have susceptibility to autoimmune processes [8]. Some recent studies have shown that patients with PCOS have significantly higher levels of autoantibodies including antihistone and anti-dsDNA suggestive of autoimmune process in PCOS [8,9].…”

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Thyroid and polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Autoantibody production was higher in female mice than in male mice (94). Estrogens were described to decrease the activity of T suppressor cells, increase the activity of B cells, increase also the secretion of Th2 cytokine IL6, and to direct the immune response to Th2 and the formation of antibodies (33,79). Women have a higher CD4 C /CD8 C ratio with higher CD4 C levels and more antibodies than men (79).…”

“…Such possible connections will be Anovulatory infertility, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancyinduced hypertension, and preterm delivery risk (66,122) Clomiphene citrate resistance risk (123) reviewed in more detail. Furthermore, HT is the most prevalent autoimmune disorder (16), and, in PCOS, a possible role of autoimmune phenomena in the etiology has been implied (27,33). Therefore, putative genetic-and autoimmunity-related causal factors in both disorders will be elucidated, including the role of polymorphisms of susceptibility genes, as well as transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), regulatory T cells (Tregs), the thymus, vitamin D deficiency and sex hormone imbalances.…”