INCREASED SERUM LEVELS OF ANTIELASTIN ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH PEYRONIES-DISEASE

The cause of Peyronie's disease is unknown. Immunological mechanisms i n the pathogenesis have been previously suggested. Antibodies to elast in are present in all individuals. However, abnormal serum levels of a nti-tropoelastin (reflecting elastin synthesis) and anti-a-elastin (re flecting elastin destruction) are seen in a variety of autoimmune dise ases. We show that patients with Peyronie's disease have higher levels of antibodies to tropoelastin (p <0.047) and alpha-elastin (p <0.012) than age-matched controls, suggesting an increase in elastin synthesi s and breakdown, respectively. These findings suggest the presence of autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease, which may have future diagnostic and therapeutic implications.