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Multiple autoantibodies in patients with silicone breast implants
E Bar-Meir1, S S Teuber, H C Lin
1Research Unit of Autoimmune Disease, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Journal of Autoimmunity
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Women with silicone breast implants showed a higher frequency of 15 different autoantibodies, suggesting silicone may act as an adjuvant, triggering immune responses and potentially leading to autoimmune conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Silicone breast implants are associated with diverse immunologic abnormalities.
- Previous studies had limitations in patient numbers or autoantibody panels analyzed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of 20 autoantibodies in women with silicone breast implants compared to controls.
- To explore the potential adjuvant role of silicone byproducts in immune system activation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 20 autoantibodies in 116 women with implants and 134 controls.
- Sera tested blindly against 20 autoantigens, including SS-A, SS-B, RNP, cardiolipin, collagen types, phosphatidylserine, and others.
- Positive autoantibody identification based on values exceeding 3 standard deviations above the control mean.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in autoantibody frequency was observed in women with implants for 15 out of 20 autoantigens.
- Notable increases were found for anti-H2AH2B, HPRPP, SS-A, SS-B, Scl-70, cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine, GM2, and NC-1.
- Multiple autoantibodies were common, with 20% of patients having four and 8% having six autoantibodies.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a significant association between silicone breast implants and the presence of multiple autoantibodies.
- The data supports the hypothesis that silicon/silicone byproducts may act as an adjuvant, promoting autoimmune responses.