Autoantibodies directed against the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in human autoimmune hepatitis

Liver-Kidney Microsomes Type 3 (LKM3) autoantibodies (aAbs) have been described in chronic hepatitis D virus infection in 1983. The detection of such aAbs in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) Type 2 was thereafter reported. The molecular targets of LKM3 aAbs have been identified as enzymes belonging to the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family 1. Since 20-30% of suspected AIH are negative for the classical autoimmune serological markers, such as aAbs directed against antinuclear autoantibodies, smooth muscle autoantibodies and Liver-Kidney Microsomes Type 1 aAbs, LKM3 aAbs could be of great interest in the diagnosis of such negative AIH. In this review, we discuss the sensitivity and specificity of these aAbs in AIH in order to stress out their potential clinical use as a marker.