Autoantibody-Positive Healthy Individuals Display Unique Immune Profiles That May Regulate Autoimmunity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are detected in ∼18% of females, yet autoimmune disease develops in only 5-8%. Immunologic differences between ANA-positive healthy individuals and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may elucidate the regulatory mechanisms by which ANA-positive individuals avoid transition to clinical autoimmune disease.

Methods

Healthy individuals (n = 790) were screened for autoantibodies specific for 11 antigens associated with lupus, systemic sclerosis, and Sjögren's syndrome. From this screening, 31 European American ANA-positive healthy individuals were selected and demographically matched to ANA-negative controls and SLE patients. Serum cytokine profiles, leukocyte subset frequency, and reactivity were analyzed by multiplex assays,

SUBMITTER: Slight-Webb S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5042816 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature