Open AccessNatural autoantibodies to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in polycystic ovarian syndrome
Author(s) -
Lisa-Marie Sattler,
Hanna A. Schniewind,
Waldemar B. Minich,
Christoph Haudum,
Petra Niklowitz,
Julia Münzker,
Gábor L. Kovaćs,
Thomas Reinehr,
Barbara ObermayerPietsch,
Lutz Schomburg
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0249639
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor , autoantibody , context (archaeology) , pathogenesis , gonadotropin releasing hormone , polycystic ovary , biology , hormone , immunology , antibody , diabetes mellitus , luteinizing hormone , insulin resistance , paleontology
Context Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease with different subtypes and unclear etiology. Among the frequent comorbidities are autoimmune diseases, suggesting that autoantibodies (aAb) may be involved in PCOS pathogenesis. Objective As the gonadal axis often is dysregulated, we tested the hypothesis that aAb to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) are of diagnostic value in PCOS. Design An in vitro assay for quantifying aAb to the GnRH-R (GnRH-R-aAb) was established by using a recombinant fusion protein of full-length human GnRH-R and firefly luciferase. A commercial rabbit antiserum to human GnRH-R was used for standardization. Serum samples of control subjects and different cohorts of European PCOS patients (n = 1051) were analyzed. Results The novel GnRH-R-aAb assay was sensitive, and signals were linear on dilution when tested with the commercial GnRH-R antiserum. Natural GnRH-R-aAb were detected in one control (0.25%) and two PCOS samples (0.31%), and 12 samples were slightly above the threshold of positivity. The identification of samples with positive GnRH-R-aAb was reproducible and the signals showed no matrix interferences. Conclusion Natural GnRH-R-aAb are present in a very small fraction of adult control and PCOS subjects of European decent. Our results do not support the hypothesis that the GnRH-R constitutes a relevant autoantigen in PCOS.