Study of autoantibodies against the adenine nucleotide translocator in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The frequency, dynamical change and effects of autoantibodies against the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) were studied. Sera of 16 patients with IDC showed significant binding capacity to the ANT protein (33.3%). Anti-ANT antibody titre was gradually tapered in approx. 2-3 months duration. However, anti-ANT antibody can inhibit the ADP/ATP exchange of heart mitochondria and be organ-specific. Short-term (6 weeks) treatment of 15 anti-ANT antibody-positive IDC patients with prednisone was of beneficial effect. Our results show that autoimmunity to the ANT can contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of IDC to a certain extent. But we must pay more attention to the fact that anti-ANT antibody characteristically exists short-term. Therefore, a short-term immunosuppressive treatment should be given to those IDC patients whose anti-ANT antibody is positive.