Arrhythmogenic effects of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies on the adult heart: more than expected?

Autoimmun Rev. 2009 Sep;9(1):40-4. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2009.03.002. Epub 2009 Mar 12.

Abstract

The arrhythmogenicity of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies for the foetal heart and their crucial role in the development of congenital heart block is now well established, representing a paradigmatic model of passively acquired autoimmunity. Recently, intriguing data suggest that also the adult heart may represent a possible target of anti-Ro/SSA antibody-mediated autoimmune injury. The prolongation of the QTc interval, possibly resulting from a direct inhibitory interaction between the anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and the potassium current I(Kr) in the heart seems the abnormality more frequently observed in adults with anti-Ro/SSA-positive CTD. Although the possibility that anti-Ro/SSA positivity may be considered a risk factor for arrhythmic sudden death in adults has not been demonstrated as yet, preliminary data suggest a relationship among anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, QTc prolongation, and the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias, also life threatening, in adult patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / immunology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / epidemiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • Autoantigens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology
  • Myocardial Contraction / immunology*
  • Potassium Channels / immunology
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / immunology*
  • RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins / immunology*
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Potassium Channels
  • RNA, Small Cytoplasmic
  • RO60 protein, human
  • Ribonucleoproteins