anticentromer

Anticentromere antibodies are a group of autoantibodies that target centromere proteins. The centromere is a specialized region of DNA that forms part of a chromosome, essential for cell division as it serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers. Anticentromere antibodies are most commonly associated with systemic sclerosis, particularly the limited cutaneous form, also known as CREST syndrome (Calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Esophageal dysfunction, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasias). Their presence is a significant diagnostic marker for this condition.

These antibodies are typically detected in the blood through various immunoserological assays, such as indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). While strongly linked to systemic sclerosis, anticentromere antibodies can occasionally be found in other autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, albeit at lower frequencies. Their clinical significance lies in their ability to help differentiate subtypes of systemic sclerosis and predict disease progression. For instance, individuals with anticentromere antibodies often exhibit a milder systemic progression, with a greater likelihood of developing Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers, but less severe internal organ involvement compared to those without these antibodies. The exact mechanism by which these autoantibodies contribute to disease pathogenesis is still under investigation, but they are believed to play a role in the inflammatory and fibrotic processes characteristic of systemic sclerosis.