Anti-smooth muscle antibody
Encyclopedia
Anti-smooth muscle antibodies are antibodies
(immunoglobulins) formed against smooth muscle
. These antibodies are typically associated with autoimmune hepatitis
.
These antibodies can be directed against actin
, troponin
, and tropomyosin
.
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
(immunoglobulins) formed against smooth muscle
Smooth muscle
Smooth muscle is an involuntary non-striated muscle. It is divided into two sub-groups; the single-unit and multiunit smooth muscle. Within single-unit smooth muscle tissues, the autonomic nervous system innervates a single cell within a sheet or bundle and the action potential is propagated by...
. These antibodies are typically associated with autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis is a disease of the liver that occurs when the body's immune system attacks cells of the liver. Anomalous presentation of human leukocyte antigen class II on the surface of hepatocytes, possibly due to genetic predisposition or acute liver infection, causes a cell-mediated...
.
These antibodies can be directed against actin
Actin
Actin is a globular, roughly 42-kDa moonlighting protein found in all eukaryotic cells where it may be present at concentrations of over 100 μM. It is also one of the most highly-conserved proteins, differing by no more than 20% in species as diverse as algae and humans...
, troponin
Troponin
400px|thumb|right|alt = Colored dice with checkered background|Ribbon representation of the human cardiac troponin core complex in the calcium-saturated form...
, and tropomyosin
Tropomyosin
Tropomyosin is an actin-binding protein that regulates actin mechanics. It is important, among other things, for muscle contraction. Tropomyosin, along with the troponin complex, associate with actin in muscle fibers and regulate muscle contraction by regulating the binding of myosin...
.