Characterization of anti-histone antibodies in patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1998 May;13(5):483-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1998.tb00673.x.

Abstract

We have recently found that antibodies to total histones are common in a group of American patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). In an attempt to determine the profile and clinical association of anti-histone antibody (AHA), 45 Japanese AIH patients were studied for serum isotypic reactivity with individual histones (H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting. The results revealed that 40% of sera had reactivities with at least one of individual histones and that the antibodies were detected in all three classes of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA). Immunoglobulin G type anti-H3 showed the dominant reactivity and it characterized 72% of sera with AHA. The titre of anti-H3 decreased significantly (P < 0.0075) after steroid therapy and the index of decrease for anti-H3 was correlated in individuals with that for serum aminotransferase. In general, patients with AHA showed higher serum level of alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05), immunoglobulin G (P < 0.025), and higher frequency of A2-DR4 haplotype (53 vs 17%) than their seronegative counterparts. However, the titre of AHA was low in this disease condition and histone class-specific antibodies did not distinguish patients with distinctive clinical features, although patients with anti-H3 tended to be younger than those without AHA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / classification
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / immunology*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / metabolism
  • Histones / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / blood
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Autoantibodies
  • HLA Antigens
  • Histones
  • Immunoglobulins