Loss of tolerance to glycoprotein 2 isoforms 1 and 4 is associated with Crohn’s disease of the pouch

Summary

Background

Zymogen granule glycoprotein 2 (GP2) is a major autoantigen of Crohn's disease‐specific pancreatic autoantibodies.

Aim

To test a link between loss of tolerance to isoforms of GP2 and pouch disorders in a cross‐sectional study in ulcerative colitis patients with ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Methods

Serum samples of 117 consecutive ulcerative colitis patients after IPAA were tested for presence of Anti‐GP2 isoforms 1 (GP2₁) & 4 (GP2₄) IgG and IgA as well as anti‐Saccaromyces cervisiae (ASCA) IgG and IgA antibodies in a blinded fashion via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Pouch disorders were diagnosed based on clinical, endoscopic, histological and radiographic criteria. Crohn's disease of the pouch was defined as involvement of the small bowel mucosa proximal to the ileal pouch with Crohn's disease, development of perianal complications or pouch fistula more than 3 months after ileostomy closure.

Results

Positivity and level of Anti‐GP2₁ IgG (AUC 0.77; P < 0.001 & P = 0.02, respectively), Anti‐GP2₄ IgG (AUC 0.74; P < 0.001 & P = 0.025, respectively) and Anti‐GP2₄ IgA (AUC 0.77; P < 0.001 to P = 0.018, respectively) were specifically associated with Crohn's disease of the pouch. Anti‐GP2 was not associated with endoscopic or histological pouch disease activity index. Neither positivity nor levels of ASCA IgG (AUC 0.63; P = 0.12 & P = 0.35, respectively) or ASCA IgA (AUC 0.67; P = 0.38 & P = 0.53) were associated with pouch phenotypes.

Conclusions

The novel anti‐GP2₁ and GP2₄ antibodies are associated with Crohn's disease of the pouch in ulcerative colitis patients after IPAA. Serological anti‐GP2 antibodies could aid in diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the pouch.

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