The immunological features of Peyronie's disease.

Abstract

We investigated the immunological features and possible autoimmune basis of Peyronie's disease. The sera of 100 patients with Peyronie's disease were tested for circulating autoantibodies, including anti-penis antibodies, by indirect immunofluorescence. Antibody deposition and the immunological activity in Peyronie's plaque tissue from patients with early and long-standing disease were also assessed. Circulating anti-penis antibodies were not found in any patient although antinuclear antibodies were present in 24%. Patients with early Peyronie's disease had IgM antibody deposition, marked T lymphocytic and macrocytic infiltration in the sub-tunical space, increased expression of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells and an increased human lymphocyte antigen class 2 expression by the cellular infiltrate, indicating cellular immune activation. These results show that some of the features of autoimmunity, in particular the cell mediated response, are present in Peyronie's disease.