Anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies are increased in IPF patients

An increased prevalence of serum anti-MCV antibody is observed in the serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) but the clinical relevance of these antibodies is unknown.

Patients from our center with a diagnosis of IPF according to the 2018 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT guidelines and at least one anti-MCV assay available were selected. All patients were part of the prospective cohort European IPF registry and selected between 03/2010 and 03/2018. We constituted two groups of patients according to the anti-MCV status at baseline to compare their characteristics at baseline and the evolution of lung function, survival and/or transplantation status.

Anti-MCV data were available for 101 patients, of whom 86 had complete clinical data available. Twenty-nine (34 %) patients had a positive anti-MCV assay (MCV+), at a low level in most patients (29 UI/mL [IQR 25-40]), and 57 (66 %) patients a negative assay (MCV-). MCV+ patients were 20 men and 9 women, with a median age of 73 years [IQR 67-78]. MCV- patients were 49 men and 8 women with a median age of 72 years [IQR 64-77]. Sixty-two (75 %) patients were ex-smokers and 5 (6 %) were active smokers. Median cumulative tobacco smoke exposure was 22.5 (15.0-38.6) and was similar in both groups. Lung function test results and HRCT pattern distribution was similar in both groups at baseline. The median duration of follow-up was 3.5 years [IQR 2.1-5.0]. Lung function decline was similar in both groups. During the study period, 31 (36 %) patients died or have been transplanted with no difference in transplant-free survival status between the two groups.

Low level anti-MCV autoimmunity was prevalent in IPF patients.