title: High levels of autoantibodies against catalase and superoxide dismutase in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autoantibodies against the antioxidant enzymes have been described in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases. Here, we hypothesize that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), induces anticatalase and/or antisuperoxide dismutase autoantibodies that inhibit catalase and/or superoxide dismutase activities and thereby contribute to the oxidative stress status described in this pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), and M (IgM) directed against catalase and superoxide dismutase in the sera of 30 NPC patients and 30 healthy control individuals were evaluated. The antioxidative profile was tested among the same patients by measuring serum catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. To investigate the implication of EBV in the establishment of autoantibody production in NPC patients, a correlation study between serological testing for EBV viral capsid antigen immunoglobulin G (VCA IgG) and autoantibodies against both enzymes was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of IgG against superoxide dismutase and catalase were found to be increased in sera patients compared to controls (P<0.001). NPC patients exhibited decreased catalase (P<0.001) and superoxide dismutase activities (P<0.001) in their sera. However, a positive correlation between superoxide dismutase IgM antibody and IgG antibody titers to VCA (P<0.05, r=0.483, n=21) was found. A positive correlation between catalase (IgM) antibodies and IgG antibody titers to VCA (P<0.05, r=0.546, n=30) was also found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High levels of anticatalase and antisuperoxide dismutase antibodies in the sera of NPC patients were found.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Biotechnologie et Pathologies, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sfax, Tunisia. bochragargouri@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Bochra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gargouri
authors.forename: Saloua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lassoued
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ben Mansour
authors.forename: Wajdi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ayadi
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Idriss
authors.forename: Hammadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.forename: Abd El Fatteh
authors.initials: Ael F
authors.lastname: El Feki
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002374:Catalase / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001323:Autoantibodies; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase