Functional autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: influence of autologous stem cell transplantation and correlation with clinical outcome.

Reactivity of functionally active anti-AT1R-antibodies was not influenced by aSCT, while anti-topo-I-antibodies decreased after aSCT. The fact that anti-topo-I antibodies inhibited enzyme function in all instances supports the hypothesis of a pathogenetic role of the topo-I antigen/antibody-system in SSc. High anti-topo-I reactivity before aSCT was associated with an unfavourable, presence of stimulatory anti-AT1R antibodies with a favourable course after aSCT.