Up-to-date in Anti-Nuclear Abs for clinical use

Abstract

Anti-Nuclear Ab (ANA) or LE factor in the past 60 year  is a group of autoantibodies involved in the pathology of  many organs in rheumatic diseases particular in SLE.  Regarding to several accumulated clinical datas from CTD, nowaday  it is accepted that they compose of antibodies against not only to nuclear components but also to many substances in cytoplasm of cell.  The anti-dsDNA Ab , many antibodies in Anti-ENA Ab particular  Anti-Sm Ab,  Anti-U1-RNP Ab, Anti-SSA/Ro Ab,  Anti-SSB/La Ab, Anti-centromere Ab and Anti Scl-70 Ab are the most clinical significant autoantibodies.   Anti-Ribosomal P,  anti-Jo-1 Ab, anti-Mitochondria Ab and  anti-Actin Ab  are autoantibodies against cytoplasmic components.  All can be detected by IF-ANA, IF-Anti dsDNA Ab , Line Immunoassay (LIA) and/or EIA/ELISA. However, the use must carefully applied in clinical laboratory i.e, IF-ANA as found initially positive, the proper LIA and EIA/ELISA will be selected along with algorithmic approach for ANA testing.

                   Even ANA results are more validity than ever, it is still accepted as a data criteria for guideline of the clinical diagnosis,  follow-up and prognosis for CTD in the present.