[Assessment methods of autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases]

In most of the autoimmune diseases, a humoral and cellular immune response is characteristically seen, with autoantibodies and cells directed to distinct intracellular antigens. This phenomenon can be shown in systemic diseases like sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also evident that autoantibodies are present in many the autoimmune diseases (called organ-specific) like for example Hashimoto, Graves-Basedow or Addison disease. The presence of autoantibodies is important items to be considered in establishing a diagnosis and because of that autoantibodies are included in the diagnostic criteria of many autoimmune diseases. They are useful prognostic markers in some situations and facilitate clinical and treatment follow-up. Since year 1950 (discovering of the first autoantibody--classical rheumatoid factor IgM class) many new methods like: immunoelectrophoresis, counter-electrophoresis, double and radial immunodiffusion in gels, immunoagglutination and haemolytic methods have been used for autoantibodies assessment. It seems to us the indirect immunofluorescence method (IIF) was a most powerful, sensitive and comprehensive test for screening of autoantibodies, until an immunoenzymatic (EIA) methods (ELISA, Western-blotting) in late 60-s was worked out. The immunoenzymatic tests are very useful because of their simplicity and reliability. But there is one more excellent test hybrid named "Colorzyme" (presented by Immuno-Concept Corporation from USA) worked out by combining of the EIA and IIF tests. Instead of FITC-conjugates (like in IIF) a HRP-conjugates for developing of typical ANA-test based on glass fixed Hep-2 cells have been used. The nuclear type of pattern we get using "Colorzyme" test are very strong, nit and rich in details. The prevalence of the "Colorzyme" test relies on that it can be properly done and interpreted by unexperienced technician. More and more new-founded resources of marker autoantibodies and methods force to introduction into standardization both methods and specimens on which they are marked.