261 - Laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis
Autor(s): D. Villalta
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 6, N. 4, 2010 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 261-5
Autoantibodies are important tools for the correct diagnosis and classification of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The presence of disease-related autoantibodies is included both in the revised criteria of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG) and in a recently proposed simplified diagnostic scoring system for AIH. Classically, on the basis of the immunological profile, AIH is subdivided in type 1, which is characterized by anti-nuclear (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle (SMA) antibodies, and type 2, which is marked by anti-liver and kidney microsomes (anti-LKM) and anti-liver cytosole type 1 (anti- LC-1) antibodies. Detection of atypical perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCA), anti-soluble liver antigen (anti-SLA) antibodies, and anti-F actin antibodies (by ELISA or indirect immunofluorescence on VSM47 cell line) can act as an additional pointer toward the diagnosis of AIH, particularly in the absence of conventional autoantibodies. Finally, anti-SLA, anti-LC1, and anti-asialoglycoprotein receptor (anti-ASGPR) antibodies have been associated with the occurrence, severity, and progression of AIH.