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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
Clinical and serological features of patients with autoantibodies to GW/P bodies
Rahima A Bhanji1, Theophany Eystathioy, Edward K L Chan
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada.
Abstract:
GW bodies (GWBs) are unique cytoplasmic structures involved in messenger RNA (mRNA) processing and RNA interference (RNAi). GWBs contain mRNA, components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), microRNA (miRNA), Argonaute proteins, the Ge-1/Hedls protein and other enzymes involving mRNA degradation. The objective of this study was to identify the target GWB autoantigens reactive with 55 sera from patients with anti-GWB autoantibodies and to identify clinical features associated with these antibodies. Analysis by addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA) and immunoprecipitation of recombinant proteins indicated that autoantibodies in this cohort of anti-GWB sera were directed against Ge-1/Hedls (58%), GW182 (40%) and Ago2 (16%). GWB autoantibodies targeted epitopes that included the N-terminus of Ago2 and the nuclear localization signal (NLS) containing region of Ge-1/Hedls. Clinical data were available on 42 patients of which 39 were female and the mean age was 61 years. The most common clinical presentations were neurological symptoms (i.e. ataxia, motor and sensory neuropathy) (33%), Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) (31%) and the remainder had a variety of other diagnoses that included systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Moreover, 44% of patients with anti-GWB antibodies had reactivity to Ro52. These studies indicate that Ge-1 is a common target of anti-GWB sera and the majority of patients in a GWB cohort had SjS and neurological disease.
Insights
Autoantibodies targeting GW bodies (GWBs) frequently react with Ge-1/Hedls, GW182, and Ago2 proteins. These anti-GWB antibodies are associated with Sjögren
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- GW bodies (GWBs) are crucial cytoplasmic structures regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) processing and RNA interference (RNAi).
- GWBs contain key molecular machinery, including mRNA, RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) components, microRNA (miRNA), and Argonaute proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific autoantigens within GW bodies targeted by autoantibodies from patients with anti-GWB antibodies.
- To correlate the presence of anti-GWB autoantibodies with specific clinical features in affected patients.
Main Methods:
- Addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA) was employed to analyze sera reactivity against recombinant proteins.
- Immunoprecipitation assays were utilized to confirm autoantibody targets within GW bodies.
- Clinical data from patients with anti-GWB antibodies were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Autoantibodies in the studied cohort predominantly targeted Ge-1/Hedls (58%), GW182 (40%), and Ago2 (16%).
- Specific epitopes recognized included the N-terminus of Ago2 and the nuclear localization signal (NLS) region of Ge-1/Hedls.
- Common clinical associations included neurological symptoms (33%), Sjögren's syndrome (31%), and reactivity to Ro52 (44%).
Conclusions:
- Ge-1/Hedls is identified as a frequent target antigen in anti-GWB autoantibody sera.
- A significant proportion of patients with anti-GWB antibodies present with Sjögren's syndrome and neurological disorders.
- Anti-GWB autoantibodies may serve as potential biomarkers for specific autoimmune conditions.
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