Identification of new autoantigens by protein array indicates a role for IL4 neutralization in autoimmune hepatitis.

ABSTRACT: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an unresolving inflammation of the liver of unknown cause. Diagnosis requires the exclusion of other conditions and the presence of characteristic features such as specific autoantibodies. Presently, these autoantibodies have relatively low sensitivity and specificity and are identified via immunostaining of cells or tissues; therefore, there is a diagnostic need for better and easy-to-assess markers. To identify new AIH-specific autoantigens, we developed a protein microarray comprising 1626 human recombinant proteins, selected in silico for being secreted or membrane associated. We screened sera from AIH patients on this microarray and compared the reactivity with that of sera from healthy donors and patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. We identified six

SUBMITTER: Zingaretti C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3518104 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature