Antibodies to soluble liver antigen, P450IID6, and mitochondrial complexes in chronic hepatitis.
BACKGROUND
Antibodies to soluble liver antigen, P450IID6, and the E2 subunits of mitochondrial dehydrogenase complexes occur in autoimmune liver diseases, but their specificities and implications are uncertain. The aims of the present study were to assess the importance of these autoantibodies in different types of chronic hepatitis.


METHODS
Sera from 62 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 37 patients with cryptogenic hepatitis, and 19 patients with chronic hepatitis C were assessed under code by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Antibodies to soluble liver antigen were found in 7 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (11%) and 5 patients with cryptogenic disease (14%). Patients with antibodies to soluble liver antigen were indistinguishable from seronegative counterparts with autoimmune hepatitis. Seropositive patients with cryptogenic hepatitis had autoimmune features, and they responded to corticosteroid therapy. Five patients (8%) with autoimmune hepatitis were seropositive for antibodies to mitochondrial complexes. Three lacked antimitochondrial antibodies. None of the patients had antibodies to P450IID6, and patients with chronic hepatitis C were seronegative for all markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibodies to soluble liver antigen do not define a distinct subgroup of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. They may be found in some patients with corticosteroid-responsive cryptogenic hepatitis. Antibodies to E2 subunits and P450IID6 are uncommon in adults with chronic hepatitis.
Czaja
A J
AJ
Division of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Carpenter
H A
HA
Manns
M P
MP
D042942:3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide); D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007658:Ketone Oxidoreductases / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000276:immunology*; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000276:immunology*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000276:immunology; D011768:Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D011768:Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; D007658:Ketone Oxidoreductases; D042942:3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)