Autoantibody against aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 could be a biomarker to monitor progression of Graves’ orbitopathy

Purpose This study surveyed the novel autoantigens expressed in the orbital fat tissue of patients with Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and explored the possibility of the autoantibodies against novel autoantigens as biomarkers for GO. Methods We used immuno-proteomic methods to survey novel autoantigens expressed in the orbit fat tissue of GO patients and confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results One protein spot (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2)) revealed high reactivity with the GO serum than did the healthy control serum and was further verified by ELISA. We found that the plasma anti-ALDH2 antibody level was increased in GO patients compared to healthy control donors. In addition, anti-ALDH2 antibody level was correlated with GO activity classified by clinical activity score( r = 0.588, p < 0.001, using Pearson’s correlation). Conclusions These increased levels of anti-ALDH2 antibody in GO serum suggested that ALDH2 could attribute target autoantigen in GO, and anti-ALDH2 autoantibody might serve as a biomarker for GO and help to predict disease activity.