Abbas Shapouri-Moghaddam - Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Seyed Jalil Tavakkol Afshari - Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Hamid reza Rahimi - Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad-Hadi Saeed Modaghegh - Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Alavi Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahmoud Mahmoudi - Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Seyed Morteza Ehteshamfar - Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Background: Autoimmunity causes the loss of normal immune homeostasis and involves the presence of autoantibodies and inflammation. Thromboangiitis obliterans or Buergerchr('39')s disease (BD) refers to a type of vascular obstructive syndrome, with tobacco exposure accounting for disease formation and progression. However, the current understanding of autoimmunity is unclear in the context of BD, and the scientific findings are not enough to support autoimmune mechanisms. This study was aimed at investigating autoimmunity factors in patients with BD. Methods: Clinical and experimental examinations were performed on 80 patients with BD. The diagnostic work-up for autoimmunity was composed of IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACLA), anti-double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA), and extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) profile. Immunomarkers were detected using the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Raynaudchr('39')s phenomenon (84.93%), cold sensitivity (76.25%), and claudication (73.75%) were the most common symptoms in the BD patients. Also, 64.29% represented with high ANA levels and positive RF, while 42.11% were found with increased ANA and ESR levels. The ANA/RF positive BD patients had ESR> 15 mm/hr and a high prevalence of cold sensitivity, claudication, and Raynaudchr('39')s phenomenon (p> 0.05). Conclusions: There is a possibility of a non-specific autoimmune disposition among BD patients. RF and ANA could be considered for predicting disease progression.

Antibodies, Autoimmunity, Buerger's Disease, Immune System.