Autoantibody against activating transcription factor-2 in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the prevalence and clinical correlation of autoantibody to activating transcription factor (ATF)-2, a transcription factor of ATF/CREB family, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS:

Anti-ATF-2 Ab was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting using human recombinant ATF-2. ATF-2 activity to bind target DNA was evaluated by ELISA using a plate coated with oligonucleotide containing the consensus binding site for ATF-2.

RESULTS:

IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab levels in SSc patients (n=69) were significantly higher than those in normal controls (n=26). SSc patients positive for IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab had significantly longer disease duration, more frequent presence of decreased %VC and %DLco, and elevated levels of serum IgG, serum IgA, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates than those negative. More-over, IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab levels correlated inversely with %VC or %DLco. The presence of anti-ATF-2 Ab in SSc patients was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis. IgG isolated from serum samples of SSc patients positive for IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab by ELISA slightly but significantly inhibited ATF-2 activity compared with normal controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that anti-ATF-2 Ab is a new autoantibody in SSc and that it serves as a novel serological marker for inflammation and lung involvement in SSc.

• Authors: Y Akiyama, F Ogawa, Y Iwata, K Komura, T Hara, E Muroi, S-J Bae, M Takenaka, K Shimizu, M Hasegawa, M Fujimoto, S Sato
• Journal: Clinical and experimental rheumatology (Clin Exp Rheumatol) 2009 Sep-Oct Vol. 27 Issue 5 Pg. 751-7 ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 19917156 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ATF2 protein, human
• Activating Transcription Factor 2
• Autoantibodies
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Activating Transcription Factor 2 (immunology)
• Adult
• Aged
• Autoantibodies (analysis)
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Fibrosis (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Lung Diseases (immunology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Scleroderma, Systemic (immunology)