Antibodies to serum endothelium
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Normal antibodies to the endothelium in the serum are absent.
Antibodies to the vascular endothelium are often found in vasculitis, especially with Kawasaki disease. It is suggested that antibodies to the endothelium may damage endothelial cells through complement dependent cytolysis or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In Kawasaki disease, antibodies to the endothelium are produced by the Kawasaki antigen (possibly a virus) localized on the endothelial membrane.
Antibodies to the endothelium are revealed in 15-85% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 10-87% with rheumatoid arthritis, in 30% of patients with systemic scleroderma and less frequently with its variant - CREST-syndrome. In the primary Sjögren's syndrome, the detection of antibodies to the endothelium is associated with peripheral neuropathy, and with polymyositis / dermatomyositis - with interstitial lung involvement. In systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, the detection of antibodies to the endothelium correlates with the hyperproduction of antibodies to cardiolipin, kidney damage, thrombotic disorders and damage to the heart valves.
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