(Journal Article): Diminished Cellular Immune Response to Carbonic Anhydrase II in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome and Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis
 
Nishimori I, Miyaji E, Morimoto K, Kohsaki T, Okamoto N, Onishi S (Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kochi Medical School. Nankoku, Kochi, Japan, nisao@med.kochi-u.ac.jp )
 
IN: JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2004; 05(4):186-192

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ABSTRACT: CONTEXT: A serum antibody to carbonic anhydrase II has been reported in patients with Sj�n’s syndrome and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cellular immune response to carbonic anhydrase II in patients with Sj�n’s syndrome and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. PATIENTS: Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (n=23), Sj�n’s syndrome (n=12), alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (n=3) and normal controls (n=13). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proliferation assay of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Notable increased proliferation of the mononuclear cells upon stimulation with carbonic anhydrase II was observed in 2 patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (9%) and 2 patients with Sj�n’s syndrome (17%) but not in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis nor in normal controls. Among the four study groups, there was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of the positive proliferative responses (P=0.444). CONCLUSION: Carbonic anhydrase II may not be a major target antigen for the immunological process in the pathogenesis of Sj�n’s syndrome and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. Serum antibody to carbonic anhydrase II may be detected in these patients as a consequence of the immune reaction against other antigens which mimic carbonic anhydrase II.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original Article