Significance Of Autoantibodies Research Articles

Significance of autoantibodies against the basal cell layer (BCL-Ab) in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) with HBV

Significance of autoantibodies against the basal cell layer (BCL-Ab) in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) with HBV

The significance of autoantibodies against the ADP/ATP carrier for the pathogenesis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy ? clinical and experimental data

The significance of autoantibodies against the ADP/ATP carrier for the pathogenesis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy ? clinical and experimental data

Modulation of the energy metabolism of the myocardial cell by antibodies to the ADP/ATP carrier--determination of the subcellular phosphorylation potentials of ATP

After immunization of guinea pigs with purified ADP/ATP carrier, intracellular depositions of immunoglobulins in the myocardium were found. In vitro, these antibodies induced an inhibition of nucleotide transport. In vivo, in the hearts of the immunized animals, a shift of the cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphorylation potential of ATP was observed. These findings suggest that antibodies against the ADP/ATP carrier influence nucleotide transport and energy metabolism not only in vitro but also in vivo. Both the experimental and clinical results point to a possible pathophysiological significance of auto-antibodies against the ADP/ATP carrier in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Autoantibodies and Their Clinical Significance in a Black Vitiligo Population

The frequency of autoantibodies was determined in 70 black vitiligo patients and controls. Both groups were screened for antithyroid, antinuclear, antigastric parietal cell, anti-smooth muscle cell, and antimitochondrial autoantibodies. The significance of autoantibodies was determined in vitiligo patients by correlating their presence or absence with various clinical features of the patients. The overall frequencies of autoimmune and endocrine diseases were also assessed in vitiligo patients, controls, and their respective families. Vitiligo patients had an increased frequency of antithyroid antibodies and an increased frequency of autoimmune and/or endocrine diseases. These diseases included, especially, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and alopecia areata. Autoantibody-positive vitiligo patients had an increased frequency of first- and second-degree relatives having autoimmune and/or endocrine diseases. These findings tend to support an autoimmune cause of vitiligo in black patients.

Immunology

Immunology

Spermienagglutinationstest Spermienimmobilisationstest und Spermienimmunfluoreszenztest bei Ehepaaren mit unerklärbarer Infertilität

Thirty-four married couples with clinically unexplained infertility and normal spermiograms in all male partners were investigated for sperm antibodies by means of the sperm agglutination, sperm immobilization and sperm immunofluorescence test. In 50% of the couples, sperm antibodies were found in at least one of the partners and with at least one of the tests, e.g. ten times in the female partner alone, six times in the male partner alone, and once in both partners. The correspondance of the three tests was astonishingly low; it is assumed, therefore, that they indicate different types of antibodies. On the basis of the present investigations it is not possible to assess which type of antibody is responsible for the infertility of the female or male partner respectively. This seems only possible when the decrease of certain antibody types can be determined after a period of no antigen contact (avoidance of sperm contact) and when conception has taken place. The significance of autoantibodies against sperm in clinically healthy men with normal spermiograms remains open.

PRESENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF AUTOANTIBODIES AGAINST SPERMATOZOA IN THE BLOOD OF MEN WITH OBSTRUCTED VAS DEFERENS

A total of 103 previously fertile and infertile men participated in this investigation to study the presence and significance of autoantibodies against spermatozoa in the blood of men with obstructed vas deferens. Blood samples from 50 azoospermic men with proven obstruction in the vas deferens were tested for the presence of sperm agglutinins. Autoantibodies against spermatozoa were detected in 13 of them. Another group of 25 cases of obstructive azoospermia in whom the obstruction was relieved successfully by vasoepididymostomy was also investigated. In 6 instances sperm agglutinins persisted in the blood for years after the obstruction was relieved and 3 of these men demonstrated normal fertility resulting in the birth of healthy babies. The 2 techniques for the detection of autoantibodies were the microscopic technique and the modified macroscopic technique of Kibrick Belding and Merril. The probable mechanism responsible for the production of sperm agglutinins was discussed. It was concluded that the presence of sperm agglutinins in the blood serum does not interfere with fertility.