Antibodies to centromere proteins (CENP-Ab)

The family of centromeric proteins includes a fairly numerous group of proteins constantly present in the cell (so-called constitutive proteins): CENP-A, CENP-B, CENP-C, CENP-D, CENP-G and CENP-H, as well as a group of proteins transient proteins, characteristic of a particular stage of the cell's of cell division: CENP-E and CENP-F. Their function is to participating in cell division and controlling this process Antibodies to centromeres are a marker of systemic scleroderma, mainly its limited form. Despite their relatively high specificity (about 90%), these antibodies are also found with a lower frequency in: Sjögren's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, in rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's syndrome and other rheumatic diseases. The test can also be used to differentiate between scleroderma and other conditions with similar symptoms.