Cytochrome P450 2D6 Human Recombinant (also called liver/kidney microsomal antigen 1) produced in SF9, is a glycosylated, polypeptide chain having a molecular mass of 60 kDa. The LKM1 is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Cytochrome P450 2D6 is a member of a complex family of microsomal enzymes (mono-oxygenases) present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, which perform detoxification reaction on xenobiotic compounds. Cytochrome P450 2D6 is the molecular target of autoantibodies against the "liver kidney microsomal antigen 1" (LKM 1) which has been classically defined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The presence of these autoantibodies is considered indicative of Autoimmune Hepatitis Type 2; LKM 1 antibodies have also been detected in patients with hepatitis C viral infection. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group therefore has subdivided the AIH type 2 into two subgroups: 2a with HCV and 2b without HCV. AIH 2a patients are often over 40 and predominantly male.
The use of a purified recombinant Cytochrome P450 2D6 antigen allows the differentiation of autoimmune hepatitis from drug-induced hepatitis where transient autoantibodies to other P450 family members occur which cannot be differentiated by immunofluorescence techniques.