Cytoplasmic (C-ANCA)
Part of ANCA Panel

Other names: ANCA antibodies, cANCA pANCA, cytoplasmic neutrophil antibodies, serum, anticytoplasmic autoantibodies This test looks for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in your blood. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. But ANCAs attack healthy cells known as neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) by mistake. This can lead to a disorder known as autoimmune vasculitis. Autoimmune vasculitis causes inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels. Blood vessels carry blood from your heart to your organs, tissues, and other systems, and then back again. Types of blood vessels include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Inflammation in the blood vessels can cause serious health problems. Problems vary depending on which blood vessels and body systems are affected. There are two main kinds of ANCA. Each targets a specific protein inside white blood cells: pANCA, which targets a protein called MPO (myeloperoxidase) cANCA, which targets a protein called PR3 (proteinase 3) The test can show whether you have one or both types of antibodies. This can help your health care provider diagnose and treat your disorder. An ANCA test is most often used to find out if you have a type of autoimmune vasculitis. There are different types of this disorder. They all cause inflammation and swelling of blood vessels, but each type affects different blood vessels and parts of the body. Types of autoimmune vasculitis include: - Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously called Wegener's disease. It most often affects the lungs, kidneys, and sinuses. - Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), this disorder can affect several organs in the body, including the lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and skin. - Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome. This disorder usually affects the skin and lungs. It often causes asthma. - Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), this disorder most often affects the heart, kidneys, skin, and central nervous system. An ANCA test may also be used to monitor treatment of these disorders. Symptoms of autoimmune vasculitis can include: - Fever - Fatigue - Weight loss - Muscle and/or joint aches Your symptoms may also affect one or more specific organs in your body. Commonly affected organs and the symptoms they cause include: - Eyes - Redness - Blurred vision - Loss of vision - Ears - Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) - Hearing loss - Sinuses - Sinus pain - Runny nose - Nose bleeds - Skin - Rashes - Sores or ulcers, a type of deep sore that's slow to heal and/or keeps coming back - Lungs - Cough - Trouble breathing - Chest pain - Kidneys - Blood in the urine - Foamy urine, which is caused by protein in the urine - Nervous system - Numbness and tingling in different parts of the body

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Cytoplasmic Reticular (Mitochondrial) Pattern (Cyto. Reticular MITO)
Part of LabCorp (various), Labcorp

Cytoplasmic Reticular (Mitochondrial) Pattern (Cyto. Reticular MITO) in Immunofluorescence Testing The Cytoplasmic Reticular (MITO) pattern is an immunofluorescence staining pattern observed in indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA), particularly in Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) testing. This pattern indicates the presence of autoantibodies targeting mitochondrial structures, leading to a distinct reticular (net-like) cytoplasmic fluorescence. Key Features of the Cytoplasmic Reticular (MITO) Pattern Mitochondrial Localization This pattern is associated with autoantibodies binding to mitochondrial proteins, often seen in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) and other autoimmune liver diseases. Immunofluorescence Appearance The staining appears as a fine, net-like (reticular) fluorescence across the cytoplasm, reflecting the distribution of mitochondria within cells. Associated Autoantibodies Anti-Mitochondrial Antibodies (AMA), particularly the AMA-M2 subtype, are strongly linked to this pattern. AMA-M2 targets components of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2) in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Clinical Associations The Cytoplasmic Reticular (MITO) pattern is most commonly associated with: Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) – A chronic autoimmune liver disease affecting intrahepatic bile ducts. Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) – Occasionally present in overlap syndromes with PBC. Systemic Autoimmune Diseases – Rarely seen in connective tissue diseases or chronic infections. Diagnostic Considerations Positive Cytoplasmic Reticular (MITO) pattern in an ANA test should prompt further evaluation, including: Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody (AMA) testing Liver function tests (LFTs) Additional autoimmune markers Since ANA testing primarily detects nuclear antibodies, a cytoplasmic staining pattern suggests the need for broader autoimmune screening to confirm clinical significance. Conclusion A Cytoplasmic Reticular (MITO) pattern in immunofluorescence testing is a significant finding, often indicating anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) and associated with autoimmune liver disease, particularly PBC. Further clinical and laboratory evaluation is essential to determine its diagnostic relevance.

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Cytoskeletal Proteins IgA
Part of Array 22 - Irritable Bowel/SIBO Screen, Cyrex Laboratories

Overview The Cytoskeletal Proteins IgA marker measures immune reactivity to certain structural proteins that are part of the intestinal lining. These cytoskeletal proteins—most notably vinculin, talin, and alpha-actinin—help maintain the integrity of the gut's epithelial cells and tight junctions. These junctions are critical in regulating what passes from the inside of the gut into the bloodstream. When functioning properly, they help maintain a healthy, selective barrier that keeps out unwanted substances like toxins, bacteria, and partially digested food particles. This test specifically measures Immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody type predominantly found in mucosal surfaces such as the gut. Elevated levels of IgA against cytoskeletal proteins can indicate that the immune system is responding to damage or stress at the intestinal lining, which may be the result of bacterial overgrowth, chronic inflammation, or previous gastrointestinal infections. Why it’s tested In conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), certain pathogens—such as Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli, and Salmonella—can produce toxins that damage the epithelial cells lining the gut. One of the well-documented toxins involved in this process is the cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt), which can trigger an autoimmune-like immune response. When epithelial cells are injured, their cytoskeletal proteins are exposed to the immune system in abnormal ways. This may cause the immune system to treat those internal proteins as foreign, generating antibodies like IgA against them. The presence of these antibodies reflects mucosal immune activation and may indicate a loss of immune tolerance to structural components of the gut lining. In other words, the immune system starts attacking the body's own tissue at the site of damage—an early sign of a more complex immune or inflammatory process that may not be limited to the digestive system. Clinical relevance of elevated IgA Elevated Cytoskeletal Proteins IgA levels suggest there may be ongoing damage or dysfunction in the intestinal barrier. This is important for several reasons: Gut permeability (leaky gut): The integrity of the intestinal lining may be compromised, allowing bacteria, toxins, and food antigens to enter the bloodstream. This can lead to widespread inflammation and symptoms that go beyond the gut, such as joint pain, fatigue, or brain fog. Post-infectious IBS and SIBO: Elevated antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins are commonly found in individuals with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), especially after a gastrointestinal infection. In these cases, the immune response is driven by the aftermath of infection and can lead to long-term changes in gut motility and sensitivity. Autoimmune risk: Persistent immune responses against self-proteins in the gut may contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions over time. The immune system's targeting of these proteins could spread to other tissues, particularly in individuals with genetic or environmental predispositions. Barrier system cross-reactivity: Damage to the intestinal barrier may also affect other body systems that rely on similar barrier mechanisms, such as the blood-brain barrier or the lung epithelium. Cross-reactivity to structural proteins in multiple tissues is a growing area of research in immune-mediated diseases. What this means for your health If your Cytoskeletal Proteins IgA level is elevated, it suggests your immune system is reacting to structural proteins in your gut lining, likely in response to damage or chronic irritation. While this marker alone does not confirm a diagnosis, it provides useful insight when viewed in the context of other markers on the Array 22 panel—such as bacterial toxin antibodies (e.g., CdtB or LPS)—as well as your symptoms, history of infections, and digestive complaints. Healthcare practitioners may use this information to support a diagnosis of post-infectious IBS, SIBO, or to guide personalized treatment strategies aimed at reducing immune activation, repairing the intestinal lining, and restoring a healthy microbial balance. This often includes dietary modifications, targeted antimicrobial therapy, probiotics, gut-healing nutrients like glutamine and zinc carnosine, and lifestyle changes to reduce systemic inflammation. Summary Cytoskeletal Proteins IgA is a powerful marker for identifying mucosal immune reactions in the gut. When elevated, it signals that your immune system may be targeting structural elements of the intestinal lining due to prior or ongoing damage—often related to SIBO, post-infectious IBS, or other inflammatory gut conditions. Addressing this immune reactivity early through targeted interventions can help support gut repair, prevent progression to broader immune dysregulation, and alleviate both digestive and systemic symptoms.

Optimal range 0.4 – 1.61 ELISA Index Learn more