Anti-UBE2T antibody: A novel biomarker of progressive-fibrosing interstitial lung disease

Mari Ujike-Hikichi, Yasuhiro Gon, Takashi Ooki, Tomoko Morisawa, Kenji Mizumura, Yutaka Kozu, Hisato Hiranuma, Yoshiko Nakagawa, Tetsuo Shimizu, Shuichiro Maruoka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Anti-fibrotic therapy has demonstrated efficacy against progressive-fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD); therefore, identifying disease behavior before progression has become a priority. As autoimmunity is implicated in the pathogenesis of various ILDs, this study explored circulating biomarkers that could predict the chronic progressive behavior of ILDs. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Circulating autoantibodies in patients with ILD were screened using microarray analysis to identify candidate biomarkers. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed with a larger sample set for the quantification of antibodies. After 2 years of follow-up, ILDs were reclassified as PF or non-PF. The relationship between the participants' autoantibody levels measured at enrolment and final diagnosis of PF-ILD was determined. Results: In total, 61 healthy participants and 66 patients with ILDs were enrolled. Anti-ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) antibody was detected as a candidate biomarker. Anti-UBE2T antibody levels were elevated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). After following up on the study participants for 2 years, anti-UBE2T levels measured at enrolment significantly correlated with the new PF-ILD diagnosis. Immunohistochemical staining of normal lung tissues revealed sparsely located UBE2T in the bronchiole epithelium and macrophages, whereas IPF lung tissues showed robust expression in the epithelial lining of honeycomb structures. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe an anti-UBE2T antibody, a new biomarker that is significantly elevated in patients with ILD who present future disease progression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)579-587
Number of pages9
JournalRespiratory Investigation
Volume61
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Keywords

  • Autoantibody
  • Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Anti-UBE2T antibody: A novel biomarker of progressive-fibrosing interstitial lung disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this