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HelpTest ID AMA Mitochondrial Antibodies (M2), Serum
Reporting Name
Mitochondrial Ab, M2, SUseful For
Establishing the diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis
This test is not useful for indicating the stage or prognosis of the disease or for monitoring the course of disease.
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days | |
| Frozen | 21 days |
Reference Values
Negative: <0.1 Units
Borderline: 0.1-0.3 Units
Weakly positive: 0.4-0.9 Units
Positive: ≥1.0 Units
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86381
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| AMA | Mitochondrial Ab, M2, S | 51715-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| AMA | Mitochondrial Ab, M2, S | 51715-1 |
Clinical Information
The presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) in association with chronic cholestasis after exclusion of known causes of liver disease is strongly suggestive of a diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).(1) AMA have a variable prevalence in other autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis, Sjogren syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.(2-4) AMA can also be found in some apparently healthy individuals as well as patients with hepatic diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and viral hepatitis.(2,3,5)
AMA recognize mitochondrial antigens classified numerically as M1 through M9 with an immunodominance to the M2 antigen in patients with PBC. The M2 antigens comprise of 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes, which are key enzymes in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, namely the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), the E3 binding protein of PDC, the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OADC), and the branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex.(5) These are multienzyme complexes consist of a minimum of three enzymes, namely E1, E2, and E3, which have a common structure. The identification of the E2 subunit of the PDC (PDC-E2) located on the inner mitochondrial membrane was a major advance in the study of PBC, leading to the development of solid-phase immunoassays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with recombinant or purified antigens.(6) In PBC patients, AMA are directed against a highly specific epitope within the lipoyl domain of the E2 subunits of the OADC, with the PDC-E2 being the immunodominant mitochondrial antigen.(5,7)
AMA stain the cytoplasm of HEp-2 cells by indirect immunofluorescence assay with a diffuse, granular cytoplasmic pattern. However, this pattern may not be consistent with AMA detected on triple rodent tissue or solid-phase immunoassays, and therefore the sole use of HEp-2 cells for AMA detection is not recommended.(8)
Interpretation
A positive result for antimitochondrial antibodies of M2 specificity in the setting of chronic cholestasis after exclusion of other causes of liver disease is highly suggestive of primary biliary cholangitis.
Clinical Reference
1. European Association for the Study of the Liver: EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: The diagnosis and management of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. J Hepatol. 2017 Jul;67(1):145-172. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.03.0222. Colapietro F, Lleo A, Generali E: Antimitochondrial antibodies: From bench to bedside. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2021 Sept:1–12. doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08904-y
3. Efe C, Torgutalp M, Henriksson I, et al: Extrahepatic autoimmune diseases in primary biliary cholangitis: Prevalence and significance for clinical presentation and disease outcome. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Apr;36(4):936-942. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15214
4. Albayda J, Khan A, Casciola-Rosen L, et al: Inflammatory myopathy associated with anti-mitochondrial antibodies: A distinct phenotype with cardiac involvement. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2018 Feb;47(4):552-556. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2017.06.004
5. Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G, Vergani D: The clinical usage and definition of autoantibodies in immune-mediated liver disease: A comprehensive overview. J Autoimmun. 2018 Dec;95:144-158. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.0046. Gershwin ME, Mackay IR, Sturgess A, Coppel RL: Identification and specificity of a cDNA encoding the 70 kd mitochondrial antigen recognized in primary biliary cirrhosis. J Immunol. 1987 May;138(10):3525-3531.
7. Leung PS, Choi J, Yang G, et al: A contemporary perspective on the molecular characteristics of mitochondrial autoantigens and diagnosis in primary biliary cholangitis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2016 Jun;16(6):697-705. doi: 10.1586/14737159.2016.1164038
8. Vergani D, Alvarez F, Bianchi FB, et al: Liver autoimmune serology: A consensus statement from the committee for autoimmune serology of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. J Hepatol. 2004 Oct;41(4):677-683. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.08.002
Report Available
2 to 3 daysMethod Name
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)