Lab Med Online.  2015 Apr;5(2):106-109. 10.3343/lmo.2015.5.2.106.

Anti-Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Antibodies Detected in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report

• Song SD
• Kim TY

• KMID: 2312283
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/lmo.2015.5.2.106

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that results in a chronic inflammatory disorder, which principally attacks the small joints. Several autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody, are known to be associated with RA. Anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies are mainly observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Indeed, a high titer of these antibodies is considered highly suggestive of SLE; however, anti-PCNA antibodies also appear in other autoimmune diseases. Two previous reports described RA patients with low titers of anti-PCNA antibodies, respectively. In this report, we describe a case of an RA patient exhibiting a high titer (>1:2,560) of anti-PCNA antibodies. The 56-yr-old female patient, with no underlying disease or medication history, presented with multiple joint pain and morning stiffness that had begun 6 months prior. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and RF were elevated (102 mm/hr and 77 IU/mL, respectively), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.8 mg/dL. While the test for anti-CCP antibodies was negative, an anti-PCNA pattern (>1:2,560) and a homogeneous pattern (1:320) were detected by autoimmune target (AIT) test. The presence of anti-PCNA antibodies was subsequently confirmed using the double immunodiffusion method. The anti-dsDNA test was also positive (1:160). X-ray imaging showed soft tissue swelling of multiple joints of both hands and wrists. According to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria, the patient was classified as having RA. This is the first case to describe high titers anti-PCNA antibodies associated with RA.

Keyword

Autoantibody; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Rheumatoid arthritis

MeSH Terms

Antibodies*
Arthralgia
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Autoantibodies
Autoimmune Diseases
Blood Sedimentation
C-Reactive Protein
Classification
Female
Hand
Humans
Immunodiffusion
Joints
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatoid Factor
Wrist
Antibodies
Autoantibodies
C-Reactive Protein
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Rheumatoid Factor

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 X-ray image showing soft tissue swelling of multiple joints of hands and wrists.

• 

  Fig. 2 AIT test of IT-1 cells using the indirect immunofluorescence method. Image depicts the pattern of anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody (1:20 dilution) binding, which is masked by the homogeneous pattern (×200).

• 

  Fig. 3 AIT test of IT-1 cells using the indirect immunofluorescence method. Images depict the pattern of anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody binding at a 1:1,280 dilution (A: ×200, B: ×400).

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