ANA screen (Antinuclear Antibody) ELISA Kit

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are a group of autoantibodies directed against nuclear components such as DNA, RNA, histones, and various nuclear proteins. ANA formation reflects a loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens and is a hallmark feature of systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but can also be seen in conditions like scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis. ANA can be detected using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells, which provides both titer and staining pattern information, aiding in the identification of specific autoimmune syndromes.

In the clinical setting, an ANA screen is primarily used for screening and supporting the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. A positive ANA alone is not diagnostic, as low titers can be seen in healthy individuals, elderly patients, or transiently after infections or medications. High titers, especially with disease-specific staining patterns (e.g., homogeneous, speckled, centromere, or nucleolar), increase the likelihood of an autoimmune condition. ANA testing is also useful in monitoring disease activity in certain disorders, guiding further testing for disease-specific autoantibodies such as anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, or anti-RNP.

In research, ANA screening serves as a biomarker for studying autoimmunity, disease pathogenesis, and immunogenetic susceptibility. It is widely used in cohort studies to identify individuals at risk for systemic autoimmune diseases before clinical onset. ANA patterns and titers also help investigate epitope spreading, immune regulation, and environmental triggers in autoimmunity. Additionally, ANA testing is utilized in clinical trials evaluating novel immunomodulatory therapies, providing a measurable marker of systemic autoantibody responses and treatment effects

This product is manufactured in Germany by Medipan GmbH.