The enigma of sclera-specific autoimmunity in scleritis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103178
• Publication Date: 2024-02-17T11:02:07Z
• Authors: Daphne P.C. Vergo...; Adriaan A. van Beek; Joeri de Hoog; Joke H. de Boer; Leonoor I. Los; Marlies Gijs; Roel J. Erckens; Rob M. Verdijk; Geert W. Haasnoot; Dave L. Roelen; Aniki Rothova; Johan Rönnelid; Josianne C. Ten B...; Marco W.J. Schreurs
• Keywords: Sclera

Scleritis is a severe and painful ophthalmic disorder, in which pathogenic role for collagen-directed autoimmunity was repeatedly suggested. We evaluated the presence of sclera-specific antibodies large cohort patients with non-infectious scleritis. Therefore, we prospectively collected serum samples from 121 scleritis multicenter study Netherlands. In addition, healthy (n = 39) uveitis controls 48) were included. Serum tested anti-native human type II collagen using validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Further, determined indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on primate retinal/scleral cryosections. Lastly, leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing performed 111 Anti-type found 13% patients, 10% 11% (p 0.91). A specific reaction to scleral nerve tissue IIF observed 33% scleritis, higher than (11%; p 0.01), but similar (25%; 0.36). Reactivity significantly associated earlier onset (48 versus 56 years; < 0.001), bilateral involvement (65% 42%; less frequent development necrosis (5% 22%; 0.02). HLA-B27 be twice as prevalent (15.3%) compared population (7.2%). conclusion, autoantibody reactivity more common contrast controls. Further research needed characterize these scleral-nerve directed assess their clinical value.