Target Antigens for Perinuclear Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies in Iranian Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) carry autoantibodies such as perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA). Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the target antigens for p-ANCA in Iranian patients with UC. METHODS: p-ANCA target antigens including elastase, lactoferrin, cathepsin G, myeloproxidase, lysozyme, and bactericidal permeability increasing protein (BPI) were determined in 113 patients with UC using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: 59.2% of the patients were positive for at least one antigen and p-ANCA directed against lactoferrin, elastase, lysozyme, cathepsin G, BPI, and myeloproxidase in 31.5%, 25.9%, 8.3%, 7.4%, 5.6%, and 0% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The highest prevalence of p-ANCA was observed against lactoferrin and elastase. Also, myeloproxidase was not an antigen for p-ANCA among our patients.