Reviewer's report
Title:Analysis of the clinical relevance of antimitochondrial antibodies to the
beta- and gamma-subunits of the F1F0-ATPase in patients with primary biliary
cirrhosis
Version: 1Date:18 July 2012
Reviewer: Patrick Leung
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript is focused on investigating whether the titers of antimitochondrial
antibodies to the beta- and gamma-subnunits of the F1F0-ATPase correlate with
any clinical and histological parameters in PBC. The study included 59 patients
with PBC, Effects of UCDA therapy on anti beta and anti-gamma subunits of
F1F0-ATPase was also reported. Base on their data, the authors conclude that
the antibodies may serve as a useful diagnostic tool in anti-M2 negative PBC, but
do not correlate with clinical activity or prognosis. In general, this paper is highly
descriptive. The observation and data substantiate their conclusion.
Minor Revisions :
1. Since the antibodies to beta- and gamma-subunits of F1F0-ATPase were
abbreviated as anti-beta and gamma antibodies and widely used in the article, it
must be clearly noted at the beginning.
2. How many non-PBC controls were studied ? The controls should also include
non-PBC, i.e. other autoimmune liver diseases ?
3. Immunofluorescence was introduced in the Methods and performed to
demonstrate distinct ANA staining patterns. However, no data was included.
4. Since IFT and ELISA were both performed to detect autoantibodies, the
authors should discuss whether results from these two analyses correspond to
each other?
5. N numbers were missing in Fig. 3 and 4. Since not all of the patients received
treatment/OLT were anti-beta/gamma positive, those anti-beta/gamma negative
patients should be excluded while comparing the difference of antibody reactivity
before and after treatment/OLT.
6. Based on their results, The authors should discuss the clinical significance and
impact on patient care moderate.
7. The authors should also discuss autoantibodies that may play important roles
in diagnosis and/or prognosis of PBC, such as anti-gp210, anti-sp100
8. The authors stated that there are CD8+ T cells to the F1F0-ATPase beta
subunit. Please include reference.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Reviewer's report
Title:Analysis of the clinical relevance of antimitochondrial antibodies to the
beta- and gamma-subunits of the F1F0-ATPase in patients with primary biliary
cirrhosis
Version: 1Date:18 July 2012
Reviewer: Patrick Leung
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript is focused on investigating whether the titers of antimitochondrial
antibodies to the beta- and gamma-subnunits of the F1F0-ATPase correlate with
any clinical and histological parameters in PBC. The study included 59 patients
with PBC, Effects of UCDA therapy on anti beta and anti-gamma subunits of
F1F0-ATPase was also reported. Base on their data, the authors conclude that
the antibodies may serve as a useful diagnostic tool in anti-M2 negative PBC, but
do not correlate with clinical activity or prognosis. In general, this paper is highly
descriptive. The observation and data substantiate their conclusion.
Minor Revisions :
1. Since the antibodies to beta- and gamma-subunits of F1F0-ATPase were
abbreviated as anti-beta and gamma antibodies and widely used in the article, it
must be clearly noted at the beginning.
2. How many non-PBC controls were studied ? The controls should also include
non-PBC, i.e. other autoimmune liver diseases ?
3. Immunofluorescence was introduced in the Methods and performed to
demonstrate distinct ANA staining patterns. However, no data was included.
4. Since IFT and ELISA were both performed to detect autoantibodies, the
authors should discuss whether results from these two analyses correspond to
each other?
5. N numbers were missing in Fig. 3 and 4. Since not all of the patients received
treatment/OLT were anti-beta/gamma positive, those anti-beta/gamma negative
patients should be excluded while comparing the difference of antibody reactivity
before and after treatment/OLT.
6. Based on their results, The authors should discuss the clinical significance and
impact on patient care moderate.
7. The authors should also discuss autoantibodies that may play important roles
in diagnosis and/or prognosis of PBC, such as anti-gp210, anti-sp100
8. The authors stated that there are CD8+ T cells to the F1F0-ATPase beta
subunit. Please include reference.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Analysis of the clinical relevance of antimitochondrial antibodies to the
beta- and gamma-subunits of the F1F0-ATPase in patients with primary biliary
cirrhosis
Version: 1Date:18 July 2012
Reviewer: Patrick Leung
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript is focused on investigating whether the titers of antimitochondrial
antibodies to the beta- and gamma-subnunits of the F1F0-ATPase correlate with
any clinical and histological parameters in PBC. The study included 59 patients
with PBC, Effects of UCDA therapy on anti beta and anti-gamma subunits of
F1F0-ATPase was also reported. Base on their data, the authors conclude that
the antibodies may serve as a useful diagnostic tool in anti-M2 negative PBC, but
do not correlate with clinical activity or prognosis. In general, this paper is highly
descriptive. The observation and data substantiate their conclusion.
Minor Revisions :
1. Since the antibodies to beta- and gamma-subunits of F1F0-ATPase were
abbreviated as anti-beta and gamma antibodies and widely used in the article, it
must be clearly noted at the beginning.
2. How many non-PBC controls were studied ? The controls should also include
non-PBC, i.e. other autoimmune liver diseases ?
3. Immunofluorescence was introduced in the Methods and performed to
demonstrate distinct ANA staining patterns. However, no data was included.
4. Since IFT and ELISA were both performed to detect autoantibodies, the
authors should discuss whether results from these two analyses correspond to
each other?
5. N numbers were missing in Fig. 3 and 4. Since not all of the patients received
treatment/OLT were anti-beta/gamma positive, those anti-beta/gamma negative
patients should be excluded while comparing the difference of antibody reactivity
before and after treatment/OLT.
6. Based on their results, The authors should discuss the clinical significance and
impact on patient care moderate.
7. The authors should also discuss autoantibodies that may play important roles
in diagnosis and/or prognosis of PBC, such as anti-gp210, anti-sp100
8. The authors stated that there are CD8+ T cells to the F1F0-ATPase beta
subunit. Please include reference.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
assistant