DIAGNOSTIC TEST 018
Autoimmune Liver Disease Screen
Diagnostic test for LKM-1, LC-1, AMA-M2, M2-3E (BPO), Sp100, PML, gp210, SLA/LP, and Ro-52. For suspicion of autoimmune liver disease.
Indication
Suspicion of autoimmune liver disease
Sample material
Serum
- Minim. volume: 0,5 mL
Transport
- Within Sweden: room temperature
- International: cold
Method
Immunoblot
Reference interval
≤10 negative
Result
Results are reported as negative or positive with with reaction
intensity.
Interpretation
Autoimmune liver diseases include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis(PCB), as the most common. These diagnosis can be both isolated or overlapping syndromes. Autoimmune liver diseases are driven by immunemediated damage of the liver. The specificity of any detected antibodies are valuable diagnostic markers for AIH and PCB.
• Antibodies against mitochondrial type M2 are markers for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and occur in more than 90% of the cases. The antibodies are directed to the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex on the internal membrane of the mitochondrial, i.e. M2-antigen. In PBC, the immunoblot reaction is usually very strong. The value of weakly positive reaction is questionable.
Overlap between PBC and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) occurs, and therefore, AIH markers can sometimes be detected simultaneously with AMA-M2. PBC can also be seen in systemic sclerosis. PBC is a cholestatic disease that is caused by inflammation of the bile ducts with consequent cholestatic liver values.
• M2-3E (BPO) is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of different subunits of the enzyme complex M2. Antibodies against mitochondrial type M2 are markers for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and occur in more than 90% of the cases. In PBC, the immunoblot reaction is usually very strong. The value of weakly positive reaction is questionable.
Overlap between PBC and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) occurs, and therefore, AIH markers can sometimes be detected simultaneously with AMA-M2. PBC is a cholestatic disease that is caused by inflammation of the bile ducts with consequent cholestatic liver values.
• Sp100 is an antigen in cell nuclei. Antibodies against Sp100 are a strong marker for PBC (primary biliary cholangitis) and may occur with or without simultaneous occurrence of AMA-M2.
• PML is a nuclear antigen, and antibodies against PML may in some cases be seen in PBC (primary biliary cholangitis).
• gp210 is a protein in the cell nucleus membrane. Antibodies against gp210 are a strong marker for PBC (primary biliary cholangitis) and are associated with an aggressive disease course.
• Antibodies against LKM-1 are markers for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) type 2.
• Antibodies against LC-1 occur in up to 50% of the cases with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) type 2 and are most seen with LKM-1 antibodies. Isolated occurrence of anti-LC1 occurs in approximately 10% of the cases. The value of weakly positive immunoblot reaction is questionable. In AIH type 2, strong positive anti-LC1 is considered associated with a more severe disease course. In some cases, anti-LC-1 has been reported in hepatitis C.
• Antibodies against SLA/LP are strong markers for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) type 1 and occur in about 10% of the cases. Anti-SLA may occur without the presence of ANA and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies.
• Anti-SSA/Ro52 (TRIM21) is associated with several different autoimmune conditions such as autoimmune liver disease, anti-synthetase syndrome and other inflammatory systemic diseases.
References
- Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B et al. J Autoimmun. 2018. The clinical usage and definition of autoantibodies in immune-mediated liver disease: A comprehensive overview.
- European Association for the Study of the Liver. J Hepatol. 2025. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of autoimmune hepatitis. PMID: 40348684
Included in these panels
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How to order
This test is available worldwide for hospitals, clinics, and physicians.
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Print and complete the request form
Download the request form. Clearly state the name and phone number of the referring hospital, clinic, or physician. -
Prepare your samples
Serum: At least 0.5 mL serum (plain serum tubes without additives).
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Send samples and request form
Within Sweden
Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
Envelopes and smaller boxes:
Wieslab AB, Box 50117, 20211 Malmö, Sweden
Larger boxes and frozen samples:
Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden
International
Send samples cold to:
Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden
Last updated: 2025-12-01
