THE IMMUNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PEYRONIES-DISEASE

Purpose: We investigated the immunological features and possible autoi mmune basis of Peyronie's disease. Materials and Methods: The sera of 100 patients with Peyronie's disease were tested for circulating autoa ntibodies, including anti-penis antibodies, by indirect immunofluoresc ence. Antibody deposition and the immunological activity in Peyronie's plaque tissue from patients with early and long-standing disease were also assessed. Results: Circulating anti-penis antibodies were not fo und in any patient although antinuclear antibodies were present in 24% . Patients with early Peyronie's disease had IgM antibody deposition, marked T lymphocytic and macrocytic infiltration in the sub-tunical sp ace, increased expression of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells a nd an increased human lymphocyte antigen class 2 expression by the cel lular infiltrate, indicating cellular immune activation. Conclusions: These results show that some of the features of autoimmunity, in parti cular the cell mediated response, are present in Peyronie's disease.