preprints.org > materials science > other > doi: 10.20944/preprints202207.0111.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 5 July 2022 / Approved: 7 July 2022 / Online: 7 July 2022 (04:44:21 CEST)

There is a need to further characterize the antibody response to vimentin in relation to it possible involvement in pathogenicity of sarcoidosis, and other lung disorders. Objectives: We investigated serum samples from patients with sarcoidosis, healthy and diseased control subjects to evaluate levels and frequency of these antibodies. Materials and methods. A retrospective-prospective comparative study was performed in the years 2014-2017. 188 serum samples were examined for presence of autoantibodies to mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV). Patients with elevated anti-MCV levels were tested for antibodies to a cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and citrullinated vimentin (anti-Sa). Additionally, sera from 93 patients with sarcoidosis and 40 healthy subjects were evaluated for the presence of autoantibodies to non-modified vimentin. In all cases ELISA assays was used. The results were considered statistically significant at p-value less than 0.05. Results of the study. The high concentrations of anti-MCV. antibodies were more frequent in patients with sarcoidosis (40.9% of the cases, 38/93), compared to the control groups (23.6% and 25.0% of cases, respectively). In sarcoidosis, clinical symptoms similar to the autoimmune pathology were described. A moderate positive correlation between the anti-MCV and anti-Sa antibodies (r = 0.66) was found in 13 patients with sarcoidosis. There was no significant difference between the levels of the anti-MCV and the anti-CCP in patients with non-infectious lung diseases and the healthy control group. Conclusion. A high level of anti-MCV antibodies in patients with sarcoidosis characterizes the presence of an autoimmune process that is not related to citrullination. The absence of a significant difference in the level of antibodies to modifications of vimentin in patients with sarcoidosis may indicate the autoimmune process.

sarcoidosis; granulomatous diseases; vimentin; mutated vimentin; autoantibodies; autoimmunity

MATERIALS SCIENCE, Other