Antibodies to fibroblasts in idiopathic and scleroderma-associated pulmonary hypertension

Eur Respir J. 2006 Oct;28(4):799-807. doi: 10.1183/09031936.06.00152705. Epub 2006 Jun 14.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of anti-fibroblast antibodies in patients with idiopathic or scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and healthy controls. PAH was documented by right-heart catheterisation (mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest >25 mmHg). Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM reactivities of patients with idiopathic PAH (n = 35), scleroderma-associated PAH (n = 10), diffuse (n = 10) or limited cutaneous (n = 10) scleroderma without PAH and age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (n = 65) were analysed by cell-based ELISA and immunoblotting on normal human fibroblasts. As assessed by ELISA, 14 out of 35 (40%) patients with idiopathic PAH and three out of 10 (30%) patients with scleroderma-associated PAH expressed anti-fibroblast IgG antibodies. IgG from all individuals bound to one major 40-kDa protein band. IgG from patients with idiopathic PAH bound to two 25- and 60-kDa bands with a higher intensity than IgG from other individuals. In conclusion, immunoglobulin G anti-fibroblast antibodies are present in the serum of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Immunoglobulin G from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension express distinct reactivity profiles with fibroblasts antigens, suggesting distinct target antigens.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / immunology*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M