In vitro secretion of anti-GOR protein and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
Anti-GOR antibodies may reflect hepatitis C virus (HCV)--related autoimmunity or cross-reactivity with HCV core antigen. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of anti-GOR antibodies.


METHODS
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 35 patients with HCV and 48 controls and cultured for 8 days. The in vitro antibody secretion by PBMC was determined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and recombinant immunoblot assay.


RESULTS
In 22 of 35 patients with HCV (62.9%), PBMCs secreted anti-c22-3 or anti-c33c antibodies. However, in 3 of 48 controls (6.2%), PBMCs secreted anti-c33c antibodies alone. A significant in vitro anti-GOR response was found in 13 of 35 patients (37.1%) with HCV in relation to 4 of 48 controls (8.3%). In 12 of these patients (92.3%), anti-GOR were found in vitro and in serum. Two patients with HCV produced in vitro anti-GOR but not anti-c22-3 antibodies. Regarding disease activity, in vitro anti-GOR-positive patients with HCV had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase levels (108.8 +/- 17.8 U/L vs. 64.5 +/- 7.6 U/L; P < 0.01) and more frequent signs of chronic active hepatitis (10 of 13 [76.9%] vs. 10 of 22 [45.5%]) than patients with HCV without in vitro anti-GOR response.


CONCLUSIONS
The humoral anti-GOR response in vitro is closely related to HCV infection and disease activity. Anti-GOR and anti-HCV core antibodies are regulated independently. It is likely that anti-GOR may reflect an HCV-associated autoimmune phenomenon.
Löhr
H F
HF
First Department of Internal Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany.
Gerken
G
G
Michel
G
G
Braun
H B
HB
Meyer zum Büschenfelde
K H
KH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D010455:Peptides; D000410:Alanine Transaminase