Progranulin autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and autoimmune connective tissue disorders: A preliminary study

ConclusionsProgranulin antibodies are frequently present in patients with systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune connective tissue disorders. Despite the lack of specificity for a given autoimmune disease, progranulin antibodies might not only indicate a potential subtype but also play a pathogenic role in patients with autoimmune connective disorders. Given the important role of TNF ‐α in inflammatory processes in autoimmune connective tissue disorders, progranulin antibodies might support the proinflammatory environment by neutralizing the TNF blocker progranulin.

Source: Immunity, Inflammation and Disease - September 9, 2019 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Philipp Klemm, Gunter Assmann, Klaus ‐Dieter Preuss, Natalie Fadle, Evi Regitz, Thierry Martin, Michael Pfreundschuh, Lorenz Thurner Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH Source Type: research