title: Studies on the specificity and clinical correlation of antiribosomal antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus sera.
abstract: The specificity of antibodies reactive with cytoplasmic ribosomes detected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera was studied by a radioimmunoassay procedure with 3H labeled HeLa cell polysomes. The antibodies were directed primarily against RNA or a ribosomal RNA-protein complex (rRNP). Anti-RNA antibodies exhibited comparable reactivity with ribosomal RNA, nuclear RNA, structural RNA, and a slightly lower degree of reactivity with low molecular weight RNA. Anti-rRNP antibodies may be detected by precipitation in agar gel and appear to require both the RNA and protein moieties of ribosomes for reactivity. SLE sera containing only anti-rRNP antibodies are limited to patients with active disease. Sera from patients with both active and inactive SLE contain either anti-RNA or a mixture of anti-RNA and anti-rRNP antibodies. The possible participation of anti-ribosomal antibodies in immune complex formation is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D011506:Proteins; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D012313:RNA