Autoantibody analysis in chronic graft-versus-host disease
Holmes, J.A.; Livesey, S.J.; Bedwell, A.E.; Amos, N.; Whittaker, J.A.
Bone Marrow Transplantation 4(5): 529-531
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0268-3369 PMID: 2790331 Document Number: 345092
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) bears clinical similarities to connective tissue diseases which are characterized by a spectrum of autoantibody formation. A wide range of autoantibody analyses in 19 allogeneic and 16 autologous bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients has determined that the most commonly detected antibody is IgM anti-cytoplasmic factor (ACF) occurring in 37% and 20% of allogeneic and autologous group respectively and of a type not normally seen in connective tissue disease. The antigen is as yet unidentified. These results suggest that autoantibody formation post-BMT is unrelated to the graft-versus-host process. Ophthalmic examination revealed evidence of a Sjögren-like syndrome in 20% autologous and 47% allogeneic patients, suggesting that the development of dry eyes post-BMT is not uniquely a feature of cGVHD.