ANALYSIS OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST COMPONENTS OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

Antibodies to autonomic nervous system structures have previously been detected using a complement fixation immunofluorescence test in the s era of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and no n-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), These antibodies might play a role in the aetiology of autonomic neuropathy. Sera from 45 IDD M, 40 NIDDM and 52 control subjects were tested by immunofluorescence for antibodies to human sympathetic ganglia, human adrenal medulla and rabbit vagus nerve. The use of human sympathetic ganglia was compared with rabbit tissue for the detection of sympathetic ganglia antibodie s; the results for these autonomic nervous system antibodies were also compared with results using an ELISA. There was no relationship betwe en the presence of antibodies detected by ELISA and those detected by immunofluorescence, but of 14 IDDM patients with thyroid antibodies, 1 2 had autonomic nervous system antibodies detected by either immunoflu orescence or ELISA (p<0.005 compared to patients without thyroid antib odies). To further characterize the autoantigen(s), immunoblotting was performed. An adrenal antigen corresponding to 74 kDa was detected in sera from three patients, only one of whom had antibodies detectable by ELISA and immunofluorescence. One IDDM serum showed specific bindin g to a vagus nerve antigen corresponding to 33 kDa. No specific bindin g to sympathetic ganglia antigen was demonstrated. Antibodies against autonomic nervous system antigens are an inconsistent feature of diabe tes, and appear move associated with coincidental autoimmunity against other organs such as the thyroid.