Antibodies to centromere
Centromeres are chromosome structures that play an important role in cell division, ensuring the correct distribution of genetic material. When immune tolerance is disrupted, the body may produce antibodies to centromere proteins.
Antibodies to centromere are specific markers of autoimmune connective tissue diseases and are most often detected in patients with systemic scleroderma (a sclerosing systemic disease), especially in its limited form (CREST syndrome). Their presence is associated with a slower and relatively favourable course of the disease, but with a high risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension.
In addition, centromere antibodies can be found in other autoimmune conditions, such as primary biliary cholangitis, as well as in a small proportion of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.