Frequency and significance of antibodies to U1-RNP antigens in autoimmune hepatitis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the frequencies and clinical significance of antibodies to U1-RNP-70K, -A, and -B′/B in Japanese patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The ELISA tests were employed to measure the serum reactivities to these recombinant proteins in 43 AIH patients. Frequencies of antibodies to U1-RNP-70K, -A, and -B′/B were 47%, 65%, and 44% in AIH. At least one of these antibodies was positive in 70% of AIH patients. AIH patients positive for antibodies to U1-RNPs had significantly higher serum levels of γ-globulin and IgG (p<0.05). In addition, they had significantly higher frequency of complication of Sjögren syndrome (p<0.05). The serum reactivities to U1-RNP antigens were decreased significantly after the therapy of corticosteroid hormone (p<0.05).