The significance of anti-DFS70 antibodies in the diagnosis of autoimmune disorders

Background. Anti-DFS70 antibodies are a subgroup of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). They are connected with the dense fine speckled autoantigen of 70 kD, known as the lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75.

Objectives. The objective of the review is to present the role of anti-DFS70 antibodies in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases on the basis of recent publications.

Material and methods. The authors searched for articles in the Pubmed database using the key words: anti-DFS70 antibodies, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Results. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be detected in eye diseases, atopic diseases, alopecia areata, fibromyalgia, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, tumors, Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, Behcet’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, neoplasms and in infectious

diseases. These antibodies are sometimes detected in patients with ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD ). Up to 20% of serum samples from healthy individuals (HI) are ANA-positive. This is probably due to the presence of monospecific anti-DFS70 antibodies.

Monospecific anti-DFS70 antibodies are not associated with AARD , but mixed anti-DFS70 can be found in AARD .

Conclusions. Family physicians usually do not order ANA, extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) or anti-DFS70 antibodies, but they should be aware that anti-DFS70 antibodies are biomarkers that can discriminate AARD from non-AARD , save patients from unnecessary, potentially toxic treatment and save finances typically spent on retesting and visits to specialists.