May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
The incidence of ‘normal antibody activity’ with retinain a population of 100 normal individuals
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • C.E. Thirkill
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • J.L. Keltner
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • L.S. Morse
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • J.A. Robbins
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • C.Q. Huang
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • D.Y. Kim
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • P.T. Yip
    Ocular Immunology , Lab 3204 , 'Research One', U.C.Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  C.E. Thirkill, Athena Diagnostics C, P, R; J.L. Keltner, None; L.S. Morse, None; J.A. Robbins, None; C.Q. Huang, None; D.Y. Kim, None; P.T. Yip, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  RPB and NEI Core grant 1 P30 EY12576–01
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 547. doi:
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      C.E. Thirkill, J.L. Keltner, L.S. Morse, J.A. Robbins, C.Q. Huang, D.Y. Kim, P.T. Yip; The incidence of ‘normal antibody activity’ with retinain a population of 100 normal individuals . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):547.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The U.C.Davis Cancer–Associated Retinopathy (CAR) Reference Laboratory examines sera for evidence of abnormal immunologic activity with known and suspected retinal autoantigens. Testing sera for evidence of CAR involves the search for antibody activity in the range of 62, 45, 40, 23 and 20 kd because of the association of paraneoplastic ocular degenerations with retinal proteins of this size. The incidence of antibody activity with the five CAR antigens in normal populations is not generally known, we therefore screened sera from a cohort of normal volunteers for evidence of CAR activity. Methods: Western blots of extracts of whole retina identify abnormal concentrations of antibody activity within regions of the blot that contain protein antigens of definable size. In addressing the question of the ‘disease–association’ of the antibody reactions that characterize five immunologically distinct subgroups of CAR, we made comparisons with sera derived from a population of 100 normal post menopausal women volunteers who were examined in our clinic and found to be free of ocular problems. Results: We report on the occurrence of ‘normal’ anti–retina antibody activity in the control population, and the incidence of antibody activity in the regions of the blot that correspond with those of the five CAR antigens. Of the 100 normal serum samples, 10 reacted in the range of 62 kd, 5 at 45 kd, 15 at 40 kd, 0 at 23 kd, and 5 at 20 kd. Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the extent of ‘normal antibody activity’ with retina that must be accommodated when interpreting the immunologic activity of retinopathy patients on Western blots. The observed incidence of similar size reactions does not mean identity with any of the five CAR antigens that provide ‘bench–mark’ points of reference. However, an alignment with antigens of known disease–association should provoke further inquiry including a thorough clinical evaluation, and close examination of the patient’s medical history.  

Keywords: autoimmune disease • CAR • clinical laboratory testing 
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