Abstract |
The humoral immune response to endothelium has a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis. Using a molecular method, we sought to identify endothelial autoantigens in carotid atherosclerosis. Immunoscreening of a HUAEC expression library with IgG from a pool of two sera from patients with carotid atherosclerosis identified a clone specific to actin. We evaluated actin-specific IgG reactivity in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and compared responses with those in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes mellitus and in healthy subjects. Enzyme-linked immunoassay detected actin-specific IgG in a significantly higher percentage of sera from patients with atherosclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus than from healthy subjects (16/ 61, 26% and 13/33, 39%versus 2/41, 5%, P = 0.012 and P < 10(-4), by chi2 test). Mean optical density values were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (P < 10(-4) by Student's t-test). Patients with atherosclerosis and uncomplicated plaques had significantly higher serum anti-actin IgG reactivity than those with complicated plaques (P = 0.048 by Student's t-test). Our findings suggest that actin is an autoantigenic molecule of potential clinical interest in carotid atherosclerosis.
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Authors | P Margutti, F Delunardo, M Sorice, G Valesini, C Alessandri, R Capoano, E Profumo, A Siracusano, B Salvati, R Riganò, E Ortona |
Journal | Clinical and experimental immunology
(Clin Exp Immunol)
Vol. 137
Issue 1
Pg. 209-15
(Jul 2004)
ISSN: 0009-9104 [Print] England |
PMID | 15196264
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Actins
- Antibodies
- Autoantigens
- Immunoglobulin G
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Topics |
- Actins
(immunology)
- Adult
- Aged
- Antibodies
(immunology)
- Arteriosclerosis
(immunology)
- Autoantigens
(immunology)
- Carotid Arteries
(immunology)
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
(immunology)
- Endothelium, Vascular
(immunology)
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(methods)
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
(methods)
- Gene Library
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G
(immunology)
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
(immunology)
- Male
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