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Antibodies against alpha-fodrin in Sjögren's syndrome
Kai U Ulbricht1, Reinhold E Schmidt, Torsten Witte
1Abteilung Klinische Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
Alpha-fodrin is a part of the membrane skeleton and expressed in the majority of mammalian cells. It is cleaved in apoptosis by caspase 3. One of the cleavage products, a 120-kDa protein, represents a neoantigen. Antibodies against that cleavage product of alpha-fodrin have originally been described in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome. In addition, they are also present in up to 93% of patients with Sjögren's syndrome, depending on the stringency of the classification used. Although antibodies against alpha-fodrin are observed in other diseases characterized by chronic apoptosis, they are a valuable laboratory marker in the evaluation of Sjögren's syndrome.
Insights
Antibodies targeting alpha-fodrin, a protein cleaved during apoptosis, are found in Sjögren
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Alpha-fodrin is a key component of the cell membrane skeleton present in most mammalian cells.
- Apoptosis involves the cleavage of alpha-fodrin by caspase 3, generating a 120-kDa neoantigen.
- Antibodies against this alpha-fodrin cleavage product were first identified in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of antibodies against alpha-fodrin cleavage products in Sjögren's syndrome.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of these antibodies as a laboratory marker.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of antibody presence in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
- Comparison with antibody prevalence in other diseases involving chronic apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Antibodies against the 120-kDa alpha-fodrin neoantigen are present in up to 93% of Sjögren's syndrome patients.
- These antibodies are also found in other conditions associated with chronic apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Antibodies against alpha-fodrin neoantigen are a highly prevalent biomarker in Sjögren's syndrome.
- Despite presence in other diseases, these antibodies are valuable for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome.