title: Serum autoantibodies for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune liver diseases.
abstract: The spectrum of autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) includes primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis. The immunological mechanisms triggering the initiation and perpetuation of AILD remains unknown, while autoantigens are now recognized in most cases, and are generally nontraditional in their widespread distribution. Sensitive and specific methods for the detection of serum autoantibodies in patients affected by AILD represent a challenge for researchers and clinicians who desire to obtain an early and certain diagnosis as well as markers of disease control. To this regard, the use and interpretation of serum autoantibodies in AILD may be seen as paradigmatic for the large gaps in our knowledge based on the lack of true population-based studies. The present review article will critically discuss the available evidence on the use of autoantibody findings in the diagnosis or management of autoimmune liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria I S
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Achenza
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meda
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunetta
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Selmi
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000276:immunology; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C060729:anti-liver kidney microsome antibody; C046431:liver antigen LA-1