[Plasma autoantibodies to heat shock proteins in idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the specificity of autoantibodies to heat shock proteins in idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (ISNHL) and to evaluate the existence of autoantibodies.


METHODS
Plasma samples were obtained from patients with ISNHL (n = 41), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 22), and normal controls (n = 30). Plasma autoantibodies to heat shock proteins (HSPs) were detected by Western blot using purified recombinant human HSP27, HSP60, HSP71 HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta as antigen respectively.


RESULTS
In the ISNHL, the incidence of plasma autoantibodies to recombinant human HSP27, HSP60, HSP71, HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta were 12.1%, 7.3%, 51.2%, 4.8% and 0% respectively. The incidence of autoantibody to HSP71 was significantly greater than that in systemic lupus erythematosus and in normal controls (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicated that the autoantibody to HSP71 was main autoantibodies to HSPS in ISNHL and its presence might serve as a marker for an autoimmune etiology of these patients' hearing loss.
Wang
P
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital of Xiangfan, Hubei 441021.
Li
R
R
Wang
J
J
Wu
T
T
Cao
H
H
Li
Q
Q
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000276:immunology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins