Classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias using anti-myxovirus resistance-protein 1 autoantibody

Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 23:7:43201. doi: 10.1038/srep43201.

Abstract

Chronic fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) can be divided into two main types: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a steroid-resistant and progressive disease with a median survival of 2-3 years, and idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (INSIP), a steroid-sensitive and non-progressive autoimmune disease. Although the clinical courses of these two diseases differ, they may be difficult to distinguish at diagnosis. We performed a comprehensive analysis of serum autoantibodies from patients definitively diagnosed with IPF, INSIP, autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and sarcoidosis. We identified disease-specific autoantibodies and enriched KEGG pathways unique to each disease, and demonstrated that IPF and INSIP are serologically distinct. Furthermore, we discovered a new INSIP-specific autoantibody, anti-myxovirus resistance-1 (MX1) autoantibody. Patients positive for anti-MX1 autoantibody constituted 17.5% of all cases of chronic fibrosing IIPs. Notably, patients rarely simultaneously carried the anti-MX1 autoantibody and the anti-aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase autoantibody, which is common in chronic fibrosing IIPs. Because MX1 is one of the most important interferon-inducible anti-viral genes, we have not only identified a new diagnostic autoantibody of INSIP but also obtained new insight into the pathology of INSIP, which may be associated with viral infection and autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias / classification*
  • Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias / diagnosis
  • Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • MX1 protein, human
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases