Anti-adrenal antibodies are positive in 60-70% of patients with idiopathic Addison’s disease. This antibody is also found in autoimmune disease such as premature ovarian failure.

This antibody reacts with cytochrome P450c17 and P450scc both found in adrenal, testicular and ovarian tissue. Distribution of cytochrome P450c21 is confined to adrenal gland and antibodies to it are specific for Addison’s disease.

Image: Primate adrenal gland stained with IgG from patient. Note, cell cytoplasm of the granulosa and fasciculata is shown green while the nuclei are counter stained red with ethidium bromide. Caution must be exercised as mitochondrial antibody can also give similar staining distribution.