Autoantibody against survivin in patients with systemic sclerosis

In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), to determine concentrations of antibodies against survivin and their clinical association with SSc, and to evaluate serum survivin concentrations.

Anti-survivin antibody was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting using human recombinant survivin. Serum survivin levels were assessed by ELISA.

IgG but not IgM anti-survivin antibody levels in patients with SSc were significantly higher than those in healthy controls and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When cutoff values were set as mean + 2 SD of control, IgG anti-survivin antibodies were positive in 41% (25/61) of patients with SSc, while they were detected in only 1 healthy individual (3%, 1/29) and 1 patient with SLE (5%, 1/20). Regarding the clinical correlation, patients with SSc who were positive for IgG anti-survivin antibody exhibited significantly longer disease duration than those who were negative. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed the presence of anti-survivin antibody in sera from patients with SSc. Serum survivin levels in patients with SSc were also significantly higher than in controls and patients with SLE.

Our results suggest that autoantibody against survivin is generated in patients with SSc, especially those with long disease duration.