Anti-mitochondrial M7 antibodies (M7-AMA)

General Information

Mitochondria is a double-membrane, elongated organelle, which is located in the cytoplasm of the cell and participates in the process of generating energy, which is necessary for the functioning of the cell.

9 types of mitochondrial autoantibodies developed against mitochondrial antigens M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9 have been described. These antigens (glycoproteins) are located on the inner or outer membrane of mitochondria, and each of them is characterized by distinct physical and chemical characteristics.

Each of the mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA) is associated with one or another type of disorder, eg: M1, M5, M7 – associated with non-hepatic diseases such as

Anti-M1 – syphilis

Anti-M5 – unspecified collagenoses

Anti-M7 – some heart diseases

Mitochondrial autoantibodies associated with liver pathologies and drug-induced hepatopathies are M3 and M6

Anti-M3 – phenopyrazone (urinary tract pain reliever) induced pseudomembranous syndrome

Anti-M6 – hepatitis caused by iproniazid (monoamine oxidase inhibitor, antidepressant)

Anti-M2, anti-M4, anti-M8, and anti-M9 are associated with primary biliary cholangitis. 96% of patients with this diagnostics are anti-M2 positive. Anti-M4 and anti-M8 antibodies correlate with disease severity. Anti-M9 autoantibodies are characteristic of the initial stage of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Material for examination: Venous blood

Referral norm: Negative

Normally, antibodies to mitochondrial antigens are negative. A positive indicator of the study is most often associated with primary biliary cirrhosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of cardiomyopathies, etc.

In case of positive research results, it may be necessary to conduct additional studies to confirm the diagnostics.