Autoantibody against activating transcription factor-2 in patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and clinical correlation of autoantibody to activating transcription factor (ATF)-2, a transcription factor of ATF/CREB family, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
Anti-ATF-2 Ab was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting using human recombinant ATF-2. ATF-2 activity to bind target DNA was evaluated by ELISA using a plate coated with oligonucleotide containing the consensus binding site for ATF-2.


RESULTS
IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab levels in SSc patients (n=69) were significantly higher than those in normal controls (n=26). SSc patients positive for IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab had significantly longer disease duration, more frequent presence of decreased %VC and %DLco, and elevated levels of serum IgG, serum IgA, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates than those negative. More-over, IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab levels correlated inversely with %VC or %DLco. The presence of anti-ATF-2 Ab in SSc patients was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis. IgG isolated from serum samples of SSc patients positive for IgG anti-ATF-2 Ab by ELISA slightly but significantly inhibited ATF-2 activity compared with normal controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that anti-ATF-2 Ab is a new autoantibody in SSc and that it serves as a novel serological marker for inflammation and lung involvement in SSc.
Akiyama
Y
Y
Department of Dermatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan.
Ogawa
F
F
Iwata
Y
Y
Komura
K
K
Hara
T
T
Muroi
E
E
Bae
S-J
SJ
Takenaka
M
M
Shimizu
K
K
Hasegawa
M
M
Fujimoto
M
M
Sato
S
S
D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2 / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*
C497105:ATF2 protein, human; D051698:Activating Transcription Factor 2; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G