Antibodies to liver soluble antigen (LP / SLA)

General Information

Antibodies to soluble liver antigen (anti-SLA antibodies) were described in 1987 as antibodies against a protein present in the cytosol of liver and kidney cells.

Anti-liver-pancreas antibodies (anti-LP) were described even earlier by another group of researchers as antibodies reactive against liver and pancreas tissue protein.

Later, it was established that anti-SLA and anti-LP antibodies are identical and the target antigen is a cellular protein with a molecular mass of 50 kDa, which is involved in the synthesis of seleno-proteins. Proteins of the seleno-protein family have many and diverse functions in the cell. Their functional failure is associated with the development of muscle, cardiovascular, endocrine, neurological, immune and other diseases.

Anti-SLA/LP Antibodies may exist in isolation, or antinuclear (ANA) და with anti-smooth muscle (ASMA) antibodies together with patients Type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. The presence of antibodies is observed in 15-30% of cases of the disease and is associated with:

• with a severe course of the disease
• with the need for long-term care
• with a high risk of relapse after discontinuation of corticosteroid treatment
• before the need for a liver transplant
• Maral mortality - due to liver failure

When is the survey conducted?

From a clinical point of view, the detection of anti-SLA/LP antibodies is important in patients who do not have classical markers of the disease.

Also, to determine the genesis of hepatitis - for differential diagnostics of chronic inflammatory liver disease and autoimmune hepatitis (with negative autoantibodies).

Patient preparation – The study is carried out on an empty stomach or after a meal

Material for examination: Venous blood

Referral norms: < 10 units/ml : negative

A negative test result does not rule out the diagnostics of autoimmune hepatitis.