Anti PCNA Test

PCNA, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen is a protein that is only expressed in normal cancer and proliferating cells. This is a nuclear antigen with a role in DNA synthesis, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression. PCNA is required for the coordinated synthesis of both leading and lagging strands at the replication fork during DNA replication. PCNA expression correlates with the proliferation activity of several malignant and nonmalignant cell types. These antibody PCNA cells are observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This Anti PCNA test is done on a test quantity of blood collected from the patient to quantify the levels of Anti PCNA in the blood and to confirm SLE and as well during and after the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Not much preparation is needed. The lab technician collects your blood sample for the test. Only in case if you’re on any medications or suffering from any allergies or underlying with any type of medical conditions, inform your doctor the same and the doctor will guide you of any pre-steps to be taken before, during or after attending the test.

Anti-PCNA antibodies are very useful as a clinical marker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are very well known to detect activated lymphocytes and malignant proliferating cell. With its unique structure, PCNA is able to increase the processivity of DNA polymerase delta. It’s a critical regulatory component in the onset of leading strand DNA replication and the termination of lagging strand synthesis. PCNA is capable to work together with a wide range of cell cycle proteins and serves to manage a number of proteins participating in DNA processes, like apoptosis.

Anti-PCNA antibodies can be detected by the methods of Immunofluorescence (IF), Double Immunodiffusion (DID), Counter Immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), Enzyme-Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) and Immunoblotting (IB) Anti PCNA test done using ELISA method on the collected patient’s blood sample. ELISA method is mostly chosen as it is good and gives accurate test results. The test is carried using the ELISA kit. The collected blood sample is tested on the solid surface of the kit to which an antibody, in most cases, is attached. The test results are passed on to your doctor for further analysis and treatment.