title: Anti-neutrophil antibodies in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
abstract: Anti-neutrophil specific antibodies are detected in up to 88% of patients with PSC. The labelling pattern of neutrophils produced by these antibodies when examined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy is distinct from that produced by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in vasculitic diseases. The antigen(s) recognized by anti-neutrophil antibodies in PSC is not yet known but appears to be localized to the periphery of the nucleus. Accordingly, the term peripheral anti-neutrophil nuclear antibodies (p-ANNA) is more appropriate than the frequently used p-ANCA. As the titre of p-ANNA in PSC does not correlate with disease-specific clinical parameters, they are not useful markers for the management of patients. However, the high prevalence of p-ANNA in PSC makes them a reasonable diagnostic marker if used in conjunction with other standard diagnostic tests. The role of anti-neutrophil antibodies in the pathogenesis of PSC, if any, remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, P&S10-518, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Terjung
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Worman
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies