title: Autoantigen characterization in liver/kidney microsome positive hepatitis.
abstract: Liver/kidney microsome autoantibodies are detectable in different forms of chronic hepatitis, namely autoimmune, viral, and drug-induced hepatitis and in hepatitis associated with Type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. Based on the aetiology of chronic hepatitis, liver/kidney microsome autoantibodies are directed against different enzymes with very little overlap. Thus, the simple Indirect Immunofluorescence test, which is universally used as a screening test to detect autoantibodies, does not allow subtyping of liver/kidney microsome autoantibodies. This brief review stresses the need to use methods such as Western-Blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay together with Indirect Immunofluorescence to characterize the liver/kidney microsome autoantibodies. Identification of the liver/kidney microsome target antigens, when possible, makes differential diagnosis easier and, at times, may help the clinician to choose the best approach to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science and Biotechnologies, Cagliari University, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Virgiliis
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000276:immunology*; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens