Antibodies against alpha-fodrin are associated with sicca syndrome in the general population.
The significance of antibodies against alpha-fodrin compared to antibodies against Ro (SSA) as markers of Sjögren's syndrome has been controversially discussed. We therefore compared the association of alpha-fodrin and Ro antibodies with dry eyes and dry mouth in the general population. In 168 "normal" participants, the prevalence of IgA antibodies against alpha-fodrin was 5% and of IgG antibodies against alpha-fodrin was 3%. IgA antibodies against alpha-fodrin were present in 3 of 4 and IgG antibodies against alpha-fodrin in 2 of 4 participants with the combination of dry eyes and dry mouth (P = 0.0002 and 0.005). Only one participant had antibodies against Ro and had dry eyes but normal saliva production. Antibodies against alpha-fodrin are associated with sicca syndrome and may be valuable diagnostic markers in patients with Sjögren's syndrome lacking Ro antibodies.
Witte
Torsten
T
Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany. witte.torsten@mh-hannover.de
Matthias
Torsten
T
Bierwirth
Janine
J
Schmidt
Reinhold E
RE
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013049:Spectrin
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D013049:Spectrin; C035356:SS-A antibodies