AUTOANTIBODIES TO PYRUVATE-DEHYDROGENASE COMPLEX IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS - POSSIBLE ROLE OF ANTI-E1-ALPHA ANTIBODY AS A SEROLOGIC INDICATOR FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY BILIARY-CIRRHOSIS

Objective, To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of an ti-pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (anti-PDC) antibodies in systemic sc lerosis (SSc). Methods, Serum samples from patients with limited cutan eous SSc (n = 81) or diffuse cutaneous SSc (n = 63) were examined for anti-PDC antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and i mmnnoblotting. Results, IgG- and/or IgM-isotype anti-PDC antibodies we re demonstrated by ELISA in 26 of 144 patients with SSc (18%), By immu noblotting, 19 patients had IgG anti-PDC antibodies. Among these patie nts with IgG anti-PDC antibodies, antibody to the E1 alpha subunit was significantly associated with the presence of laboratory abnormalitie s typical of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Conclusion, Antibody to the E1 alpha subunit of PDC may be a serologic indicator for the devel opment of PBC in patients with SSc.