Importance of the immune response to the Ro/La particle in the development of congenital heart block and neonatal lupus erythematosus.
Previous studies have suggested a role for anti-Ro antibodies in the pathogenesis of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE). We reexamined the role of the immune response to the Ro/La particle in the development of NLE using newer and more definitive assay techniques. All 15 infants with congenital heart block and NLE had both anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. Of 8 patients with cutaneous NLE alone, 2 had anti-Ro antibodies alone while the remaining 6 had both anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. One woman gave birth to 2 children; one had both Ro and La antibodies and developed congenital heart block, the other had only anti-Ro and anti-U1RNP antibodies and was clinically normal. Our study demonstrates that the presence of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies define the immune response that is associated with the development of congenital heart block of NLE.
Silverman
E
E
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
Mamula
M
M
Hardin
J A
JA
Laxer
R
R
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human