Antibodies to AMA Blot Test
Antibodies to AMA (mitochondria al.) blot test from serum in suspicion of PBC (Primary Bilious Cirrhosis). This is a chronic liver disease with features of an autoimmune disorder.
The antigens tested for anti-mitchondrial antibodies are:
- AMA M2 - branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex
such as: AMA-M2, AMAM2-3E(BPO), LKM-1, LC-1, SLA/LP, PML, Sp100, gp210, Ro52(SSA).-AMA M2-3E(BPO)
-AMA M2
The Western blot test is even more sensitive and accurate than the regular serum test.
This test is often used when the regular ANA test fails, but the symptoms persist, or as a confirmation test after an AMA serum screening.
AMA antibodies are found in 95% of people with PBC.
PBC is a so-called autoimmune disease. Every person has an immune system that protects his body from external influences. The immune system makes antibodies against foreign intruders in the body. These antibodies can be used to render bacteria and viruses harmless.
With an autoimmune disease, the immune system is actually overactive. The immune system makes antibodies not only against foreign invaders, but also against certain healthy cells of the own body. In PBC, antibodies are produced against the tissue of the bile ducts in the liver. This causes these bile ducts to become inflamed. It is unclear how this immune reaction against the body arises. Possibly an infection with a virus or bacteria can be a stimulus that activates the immune system.
Different autoimmune diseases sometimes occur together. For example, PCB in which antibodies are made against the liver also occurs in combination with diseases in which antibodies are also made against, for example, cells of the thyroid gland, the joints or the colon.
