Seroprevalences of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies among Ghana's healthy population.

Autoantibodies, which are antibodies that target self-epitopes, have considerable diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value in specific autoimmune diseases. Various infectious agents have been linked via numerous mechanisms to the formation of different autoantibodies. Therefore, estimating the prevalence of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies in different populations is of high importance. Different genetic and environmental pressures, such as these found in Ghana's different geographical provinces, may affect the prevalence of autoantibodies. In this study, we assessed the seroprevalence of a diverse panel of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies among the healthy Ghanaian population and investigated possible environmental and genetic predispositions for autoantibodies and autoimmunity. The sera of 406 healthy individuals were obtained from Greater Accra, Upper West, Eastern and Volta regions. Multiplexed assay and chemiluminescent immunoassay techniques were utilized to assess the presence of a panel of autoantibodies and anti-infectious antibodies. We found a high prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgG (91-100%), anti-EBNA IgG (81-93%) and anti-EBV-VCA IgG (97-100%) antibodies. The prevalence of ANA (at least one of: anti-dsDNA; anti-chromatin; anti-ribosomal-P; anti-Ro/SSA; anti-La/SSB; anti-centromere B; anti-Sm; anti-Sm/RNP; anti-Scl-70; anti-Jo1; anti-DFS70) was estimated at 14%. An inverse association between anti-HSV-2 antibodies and ANA (p = 0.044; adjusted OR = 0.398; CI [0.162-0.975]) was found, after adjusting for differences in gender, age, and familial history of autoimmune diseases. A trend towards reduced seroprevalence of anti-dsDNA antibodies among subjects who were positive for anti-HSV-2 antibodies was also noted (p = 0.1). In conclusion, the inverse association between anti-HSV-2 antibodies and ANA positivity suggests a possible protective role of HSV-2 infection against autoimmunity.

Anti-DFS70 autoantibodies in undifferentiated connective tissue diseases subjects: what's on the horizon?

OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to determine the prevalence of anti-dense fine speckled (DFS70) antibodies in a stable population of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) to better define their potential role. METHODS: Immunological and clinical records of 91 long-standing UCTD patients were studied. DFS pattern was determined using the IIF ANA test on HEp-2 cells and anti-DFS70 antibodies were tested by chemiluminescence assay and by DFS70 line immunoassay. RESULTS: Twelve (13.2%) of 91 serum samples were positive for anti-DFS70 antibodies by chemiluminescence assay and line immunoassay. There was no statistical significance between the prevalence of anti-ENA and anti-DNA autoantibodies in patients with and without anti-DFS70 antibodies. No differences were found in the clinical characteristics of both groups. The presence of the anti-DFS70 antibodies was related to the younger age class. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies in the UCTD patients suggested the potential role of these autoantibodies as a marker in the evolution of UCTD to CTD.

Anti-DFS70 autoantibodies in HIV-1-positive individuals.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to summarize the recent studies regarding the relationship between anti-DFS70 antibodies and HIV-1 infection. Examining the interaction between HIV-1 integrate (HIV-IN) and DFS70 and its role in the integration into the host's chromatin. Then, summarizing the importance of anti-DFS70 autoantibodies binding the DFS70 in the same region as the HIV-IN. RECENT FINDINGS: The interaction between HIV-IN and DFS70 protein could be a proficient target in the treatment against HIV-1 infection. The blockade of DFS70 is more effective than the blockade of HIV-IN as anti-HIV-1 drug. The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies could be an interesting therapeutic target for anti-HIV-1 treatment. Currently, there are no studies that measured the levels of anti-DFS70 autoantibodies in HIV-1-infected individuals. SUMMARY: The anti-DFS70 antibodies bind to the DFS70 autoantigen in the same region as the HIV-IN. This fact makes the autoantibodies a potential treatment for HIV-1-infected individuals. Blood levels of anti-DFS70 antibodies have not been measured in HIV-1-infected individuals. This issue opens new lines of research about the protective role of antibodies against HIV-1 infection.

Prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies in patients with and without systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Autoantibodies to the dense fine speckled 70 (DFS70) antigen are common among antinuclear antibodies (ANA) positive healthy individuals (HI). We assessed the prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies in patients with and without ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARDs) by two methods: chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) and an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay based on immunoadsorption for DFS70. METHODS: Fifty-one ANA-positive sera samples from patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of AARD, 92 samples from HI and 85 samples submitted to a reference laboratory for routine ANA testing were evaluated for the presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies. The samples were evaluated by QUANTA Flash DFS70 CIA using BIO-FLASH instrument and by NOVA Lite selected HEp-2 kit on NOVA View - an automated IIF system. Sera with DFS positive pattern were pre-absorbed with highly purified human DFS70 antigen, and then tested again. RESULTS: Twenty-four samples (10.5%) tested by QUANTA Flash DFS70 CIA were positive for anti-DFS70 antibodies. The prevalence of monospecific anti-DFS70 antibodies was significantly higher in healthy subjects than in patients with AARDs (10.9% vs. 1.9%, p=0.02). The frequency of anti-DFS70 antibodies in samples submitted for routine ANA testing was 15.2%. A very good agreement was found between CIA and the DFS pattern identified by the automated HEp-2 IIF (kappa=0.97). In 80% of the samples obtained from patients without AARDs, immunoadsorption effectively inhibited the anti-DFS70 antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirm that mono-specific anti-DFS70 antibodies are a strong discriminator between ANA positive HI and AARD patients, and their evaluation should be included in ANA testing algorithms.