Related Experiment Videos
Scl 70 antibody--a specific marker of systemic sclerosis
The British Journal of Dermatology
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Scl 70 antibodies are prevalent in diffuse scleroderma, while anticentromere antibodies (ACA) indicate a milder form of acrosclerosis. These antibody types are mutually exclusive in systemic sclerosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vasculopathy, and autoantibodies.
- Distinguishing between subtypes of SSc, such as acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma, is crucial for prognosis and management.
- Scl 70 antibodies and anticentromere antibodies (ACA) are key autoantibodies associated with SSc, but their precise roles in disease classification require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of Scl 70 antibodies and ACA in patients with systemic sclerosis.
- To determine if Scl 70 antibodies and ACA can differentiate between acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma subtypes.
- To characterize the immunofluorescence staining patterns associated with Scl 70 antibodies on HEp-2 cells.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 107 systemic sclerosis patients (68 acrosclerosis, 39 diffuse scleroderma) were tested for Scl 70 antibodies.
- Anticentromere antibodies (ACA) and other antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected using indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells.
- Clinical data, including cutaneous involvement, were correlated with antibody positivity.
Main Results:
- Scl 70 antibodies were detected in 77% of diffuse scleroderma cases and 44% of acrosclerosis cases.
- Scl 70 antibodies and ACA were found to be mutually exclusive.
- ACA were associated with a benign subset of acrosclerosis (CREST syndrome) with minimal skin involvement, whereas Scl 70 antibodies did not discriminate between acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma.
- Scl 70 positive sera exhibited a characteristic fine speckled, nearly homogeneous nuclear staining pattern on HEp-2 cells.
Conclusions:
- Scl 70 antibodies are more frequently associated with diffuse scleroderma, while ACA are markers for the CREST subset of acrosclerosis.
- The mutual exclusivity of Scl 70 and ACA antibodies aids in classifying systemic sclerosis subtypes.
- The distinct immunofluorescence patterns observed aid in the serological diagnosis of systemic sclerosis subtypes.