Anti-multiple nuclear dots antibody positivity

What it means

A type of antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity revealed by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL). The multiple nuclear dots (MND) pattern is immunomorphologically characterized by the staining of 3-20 dots of variable size distributed all over the cell nucleus, but sparing the nucleoli, and, in contrast to the anticentromere pattern, MND reactivity does not stain the chromosomes in mitotic cells.

Sp100 is the main antigenic target of MND reactivity. Anti-MND activity can be seen in primary biliary cirrhosis and in other conditions. Anti-sp100 antibodies are directed against sp100 antigen found within nuclear bodies; large protein complexes in the nucleus that may have a role in cell growth and differentiation. Anti-sp100 antibodies are found in approximately 20-30% of patients diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Part of the broader category

Also called: Anti-MND antibodies