Purpose: We investigated the immunological features and possible autoimmune basis of Peyronie's disease.
Materials and methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusions: These results show that some of the features of autoimmunity, in particular the cell mediated response, are present in Peyronie's disease.