The antigenic characteristics and the significance of the adenine nucleotide translocator as a major autoantigen to antimitochondrial antibodies in dilated cardiomyopathy

Adv Myocardiol. 1985;6:311-27.

Abstract

To obtain further knowledge of the antigen-antibody system, immunochemical characterization of the adenine nucleotide translocator was achieved by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, immunoreplica technique, radioimmunoassay, immunoabsorption studies, and nucleotide-transport measurements. Sera of 18 patients with proven congestive cardiomyopathy (CCM) were tested. On the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) from heart, kidney, and liver, organ-specific antigenic determinants were demonstrable, although a partial cross-reactivity existed. Conformation specificity was also confirmed by experimental studies. Of the patients studied, 17 of 18 with CCM showed a significant binding to the heart ANT, while no or a lower binding was seen on the kidney/liver ANT. In CCM, a correlation exists between the ejection fraction and the anti-ANT titer. These results give new evidence for autoimmunological events in MC and CCM and indicate a possible causal relationship between these two diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / immunology*
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Liver / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitochondria, Heart / immunology*
  • Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases / immunology*
  • Myocardium / immunology
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / immunology*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Radioimmunoassay

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Epitopes
  • Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases
  • Nucleotidyltransferases