Anti-annexin V antibodies and digital ischemia in patients with scleroderma.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the frequency and clinical significance of anti-annexin V antibodies in patients with scleroderma.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 66 patients with scleroderma. Their sera were examined for IgG anti-annexin V antibodies by ELISA and immunoblotting.


RESULTS
IgG anti-annexin V antibodies were detected by ELISA in 12 patients (18.2%) with scleroderma. Anti-annexin V antibodies were associated with digital ischemia in the patients with scleroderma. Only one patient of the 12 had anticardiolipin antibodies. Although 6 patients with anti-annexin V antibodies were also examined for activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), none showed prolonged APTT. No IgG anti-annexin V antibodies were detected by immunoblotting.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-annexin V antibodies in scleroderma are related to digital ischemia. These antibodies may be associated with the pathogenesis of vascular involvement in scleroderma.
Sugiura
K
K
Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Muro
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D017304:Annexin A5; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M