Autoimmunity

Question 1

What are auto-antibodies

Answer 1

antibodies generated by the immune system against the body’s own proteins, usually within cells

(the protein’s have been perceived by the body as alien and formed antibodies against them)

Question 2

What causes the loss of regulation to cause auto-antibody production

Answer 2

It’s multi-factorial

• genetic predisposition
• environmental insults e.g. infection, prolonged chemical exposure

Question 3

What is the effect of auto-antibodies on the body

Answer 3

they attack various organs and tissues, causing inflammation and damage

Question 4

Anti-CCP antibody

Answer 4

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 5

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)

Answer 5

SLE 
Sjogren's syndrome 
Systemic Sclerosis 
MCTD 
autoimmune liver disease

Question 6

Anti-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA)

Answer 6

SLE

Question 7

Anti-Sm antibody

Answer 7

SLE

Question 8

Anti-Ro antibody

Answer 8

SLE

Sjogren’s syndrome

Question 9

Anti-La antibody

Answer 9

Sjogren’s syndrome

Question 10

Anti-centromere antibody

Answer 10

Systemic sclerosis (limited)

Question 11

Anti-Scl-70-antibody

Answer 11

Systemic sclerosis (diffuse)

Question 12

Anti-RNP antibody

Answer 12

SLE

MCTD

Question 13

Anti-Jo-1 antibody

Answer 13

Myositis

Question 14

Anti-cardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant

Answer 14

Anti-phospholipid syndrome

Question 15

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)

Answer 15

Small vessel vasculitis (GPA, EGPA, MPA)

Question 16

are false positives common in immunological testing

Answer 16

Yes!