Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH),
a liver disease causing destruction of the hepatocytes which are then
replaced by fibrous tissue.
AIH is characterised by hypergammaglobulinaemia which is
mainly due to elevation of IgG with moderate increases in IgA and IgM.
AIH affect female
predominantly and is subdivided into types 1, 2 and 3 based on the
antibody profile. Type 1 is associated with the presence of smooth
muscle and/or antinuclear antibodies. Type 2 (LKM and/or LC-1) and type
3 (anti-SLA/LP) are discussed elsewhere.
Image: Rodent stomach showing smooth
muscle antibody staining.
The antibody is directed against a variety of
cytoskeletal proteins which includes desmin, F-actin. tubulin and
vimentin and can be detected using tissues comprised of cellular
structures containing these antigens (walls of artieries, intergastric
glands and muscularis muscosa layer of the stomach).
