a-enolase: A novel autoantigen in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF).

5. SUNDBLAD V., BUSSMANN L., CHIAUZZI V., PANCHOLI V., CHARREAU E.H.

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Año: 2006

0300-0664

Objective: Although controversial, the presence of circulating anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA) may be considered a marker of autoimmune POF. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the presence of AOA in POF patients, and to identify a possible autoantigen in order to develop a reliable diagnostic tool that might help to determine the real prevalence of autoimmune POF. Design: Non-randomised study. Blood sampling for determination of circulating AOA. Patient(s): One hundred and ten patients with POF and sixty normally menstruating women with no record of autoimmune diseases (controls). Measurements: Presence of circulating AOA was assessed by Western-blot, using cytosolic fraction from human ovarian homogenate as antigen. Result(s): Twenty-one out of 110 women with POF presented circulating antibodies directed toward an antigen ~50kDa. Sixty control subjects proved negative. After purification and analysis by mass spectrometry, the antigen was identified as a-enolase. Conclusion(s): Determination of the presence of circulating anti-a-enolase antibodies might be instrumental in identifying those patients who may present a putative defect in immunoregulation and, therefore, a possible autoimmune etiology for POF.