Antibodies to threonyl-tRNA synthetase
Antibodies to threonyl-tRNA synthetase (anti-PL-7) belong to the group of antisynthetase antibodies, which are autoantibodies directed against amino acid tRNA synthetase enzymes. These enzymes are involved in protein synthesis by attaching specific amino acids to the corresponding tRNAs.
Antibodies to PL-7 are associated with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of skeletal muscles (polymyositis, dermatomyositis), lung damage (interstitial lung disease, ILD), arthritis, and other systemic manifestations.
Clinical manifestations in which anti-PL-7 may be produced:
- Progressive muscle weakness (especially in the shoulder and pelvic girdle)
- Shortness of breath, dry cough (signs of ILD)
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Fever of unknown origin
- "Mechanical hands" (thickening and peeling of the skin on the palms)
- Skin lesions similar to dermatomyositis