Identification of a novel staining pattern of bile duct epithelial cells in primary sclerosing cholangitis

• BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an inflammatory disease of the bile ducts with an unknown etiology. A number of autoantigens have been proposed, but an early diagnostic marker is still lacking. Our aim was to identify such an autoantigen. METHODS: Immunostaining was performed on normal human bile duct with sera from patients with PSC and controls. To identify an autoantigen a cDNA library from normal human choledochus was constructed and immunoscreened with patient sera. Using in vitro transcription and translation and immunoprecipitation we examined the immunoreactivity against PDZ domain containing 1 (PDZK1) in 35 patients with PSC, 198 control patients, and 94 healthy controls. RESULTS: We observed a previously unpublished staining pattern in which cytoplasmatic granules and apical cell membranes of biliary epithelial cells were stained by PSC sera. Strong immunoreactivity to these structures was obtained with 12 out of 35 PSC sera (34%) but not with sera from healthy controls. By screening the cDNA library we identified PDZK1 as a candidate antigen. Immunoreactivity against PDZK1 was detected in 9% of PSC patients, 2% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, 8% of autoimmune pancreatitis patients, 18% of Grave's disease patients, and 1% of healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Previously unpublished, specific, and strong autoantibodies against epithelial cells of the bile duct in PSC sera were identified. Furthermore, PDZK1 is suggested as a potential new autoantigen.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Keyword

PDZK1

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

autoantigens

bile duct

epithelial cells

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

PDZK1; Primary sclerosing cholangitis; autoantigens; bile duct; epithelial cells

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)