[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) › [Autoimmunity](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/#a-autoimmunity) › Autoantibodies: the table to know [Immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) · [Autoimmunity](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/#a-autoimmunity) # Autoantibodies: the table to know - Topic Autoantibodies are antibodies against the body's own parts. Each disease tends to have its own, which helps doctors name it. Updated 2026-11-01 **See it in 3D:** [Thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) · [Pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) · [Stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/) · [Jejunum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/jejunum/) ## Key points - ANA = sensitive screen for lupus; anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm = specific. - Anti-CCP is more specific for rheumatoid arthritis than rheumatoid factor. - Anti-histone = drug-induced lupus. - Anti-TSH receptor = Graves; anti-TPO = Hashimoto. - Celiac: IgA anti-tTG, always with total IgA. - Anti-centromere = limited scleroderma; anti-Scl-70 = diffuse scleroderma. ## What it is Autoantibodies are made when B-cell tolerance fails, usually with help from self-reactive CD4 T cells. Some cause the damage directly (anti-TSH receptor, anti-acetylcholine receptor, anti-GBM); others are markers that point to a diagnosis without being the cause. A positive result is read together with the clinical picture: low titres of ANA or rheumatoid factor are common in healthy people, especially older ones. The table lists the pairs most asked about in exams and on the wards. ## Key facts - Anti-smooth muscle antibodies point to autoimmune hepatitis type 1. - Anti-desmoglein antibodies cause pemphigus vulgaris; antibodies against hemidesmosome proteins cause bullous pemphigoid. - ANA is screened by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells; the specific antibody is then identified with targeted tests. ## Autoantibody → disease pairs | Antibody | Target | Disease | Pearl | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [ANA (antinuclear)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/systemic-lupus-erythematosus/) | Nuclear antigens | Systemic lupus erythematosus | Very sensitive, not specific; lupus without ANA is rare | | [Anti-dsDNA](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/systemic-lupus-erythematosus/) | Double-stranded DNA | Systemic lupus erythematosus | Specific; tracks activity and lupus nephritis | | [Anti-Sm](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/systemic-lupus-erythematosus/) | Smith ribonucleoprotein | Systemic lupus erythematosus | Very specific but less sensitive | | Anti-histone | Histones | Drug-induced lupus | Kidney and brain usually spared | | Anti-Ro (SSA) and anti-La (SSB) | Ribonucleoproteins | Sjögren syndrome, lupus | Maternal anti-Ro crosses the placenta: neonatal lupus and congenital heart block | | Anti-U1 RNP | U1 ribonucleoprotein | Mixed connective tissue disease | High titre is its defining marker | | [Anti-CCP (ACPA)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/) | Citrullinated proteins | Rheumatoid arthritis | More specific than RF; can precede the disease; linked to smoking and HLA-DR4 | | [Rheumatoid factor](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/) | Fc portion of IgG | Rheumatoid arthritis | Not specific (also in Sjögren, hepatitis C, healthy elderly) | | Anti-centromere | Centromere proteins | Limited systemic sclerosis (CREST) | Raynaud, calcinosis, telangiectasia | | Anti-Scl-70 | Topoisomerase I | Diffuse systemic sclerosis | Linked to lung fibrosis | | [Anti-TSH receptor (TRAb)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/graves-disease/) | TSH receptor | Graves disease | Stimulating; present in over 95% | | [Anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hypothyroidism/) | Thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin | Hashimoto thyroiditis | Anti-TPO positive in over 90% | | Anti-acetylcholine receptor | Nicotinic receptor at the motor end plate | Myasthenia gravis | Blocking; anti-MuSK in some seronegative cases | | [Anti-GAD65, anti-insulin, anti-IA-2, anti-ZnT8](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-1-diabetes-mellitus/) | Islet beta-cell proteins | Type 1 diabetes | The more antibodies positive, the higher the risk | | [Anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA, anti-endomysium](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/coeliac-disease/) | Tissue transglutaminase 2 | Celiac disease | Check total IgA: IgA deficiency gives false negatives; needs gluten in the diet | | [Anti-intrinsic factor, anti-parietal cell](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pernicious-anaemia/) | Intrinsic factor, gastric proton pump | Pernicious anemia | Anti-intrinsic factor is the more specific | | Anti-GBM | Type IV collagen | Goodpasture (anti-GBM) disease | Lung bleeding plus nephritis; linear deposits | | c-ANCA (anti-PR3) | Proteinase 3 | Granulomatosis with polyangiitis | Sinuses, lungs and kidneys | | p-ANCA (anti-MPO) | Myeloperoxidase | Microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis | Also seen in ulcerative colitis | | Antiphospholipid (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-β2-glycoprotein I) | Phospholipid-binding proteins | Antiphospholipid syndrome | Clots and pregnancy loss; may prolong the PTT | | Anti-mitochondrial | Pyruvate dehydrogenase E2 | Primary biliary cholangitis | Middle-aged women, itching, high alkaline phosphatase | ## Memory aid Screen wide, confirm narrow: ANA opens the door to lupus, anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm close the case. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which antibody is most specific for lupus and also follows kidney activity? Anti-dsDNA. Anti-Sm is also very specific but does not track activity; ANA is sensitive but not specific. ## Why is total IgA measured together with IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase? Selective IgA deficiency is more common in celiac disease and makes IgA-based tests falsely negative; IgG-based tests are then used. ## A newborn has complete heart block and the mother has dry eyes and mouth. Which maternal antibody is responsible? Anti-Ro (SSA). It crosses the placenta and can damage the fetal conduction system (neonatal lupus). ## Which antibody is more useful to confirm rheumatoid arthritis, RF or anti-CCP, and why? Anti-CCP, because it is much more specific; rheumatoid factor also appears in other diseases and in healthy older adults. ## Which antibody pattern suggests granulomatosis with polyangiitis? c-ANCA directed against proteinase 3 (anti-PR3). [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/immunology/autoantibodies-the-table-to-know/) ## See it in 3D The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found. - [Thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) - [Pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/) - [Stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/) - [Jejunum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/jejunum/) ## Related - [Immunofluorescence and the ANA test](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/immunofluorescence-and-the-ana-test/) - [ELISA, western blot and rapid tests](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/elisa-western-blot-and-rapid-tests/) - [Immune tolerance and how autoimmunity begins](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/immune-tolerance-and-how-autoimmunity-begins/) - [HLA associations with disease](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/hla-associations-with-disease/) - [Type II hypersensitivity (antibody against cells)](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/type-ii-hypersensitivity/) - [Type III hypersensitivity (immune complexes)](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/type-iii-hypersensitivity/) - [B cell and plasma cell](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/b-cell-and-plasma-cell/) ## Related conditions - [Systemic lupus erythematosus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/systemic-lupus-erythematosus/) - [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/) - [Graves disease (hyperthyroidism)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/graves-disease/) - [Hypothyroidism](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hypothyroidism/) - [Type 1 diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-1-diabetes-mellitus/) - [Coeliac disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/coeliac-disease/) - [Pernicious anaemia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pernicious-anaemia/) [← All of immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) Educational content on the immune system; not a treatment or individual vaccination guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Systemic lupus erythematosus](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/n/autoimmuni/systemic/) (El Rosario University Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2013); [Rheumatoid arthritis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/n/autoimmuni/rheumatoid/) (El Rosario University Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2013); [Thyroid disease and autoimmune diseases](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/n/autoimmuni/thyroiddisease/) (El Rosario University Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2013); [Celiac disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/n/autoimmuni/celiacdisease/) (El Rosario University Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2013). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/immunology/autoantibodies-the-table-to-know/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/immunology/autoantibodies-the-table-to-know/