Subsets of autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) as assayed by ELISA correlate with specific clinical abnormalities in SLE.
A clinicopathological study of antinuclear antibodies was performed in 43 patients with SLE. Autoantibodies to double-stranded DNA, measured by RIA, were found in 56% of subjects and were associated with the presence of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, Raynaud's phenomenon and cryoglobulinaemia. Antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), when assayed by ELISA, were found in 81% of subjects and were associated with photosensitivity and thrombocytopaenia. Antibodies to RNA-ase-resistant ENA were found in 42% and were associated with cryoglobulinaemia and sclerodactyly, while antibodies to RNA-ase sensitive ENA which had a 49% prevalence were associated with haemolysis and neutropaenia. RNP antibodies (detected by immunodiffusion in 40%) were also associated with photosensitivity. RNP antibody positive and negative sera differed from each other by virtue of their relationship with other autoantibodies, and because RNP-positive sera had significantly higher ENA antibody titres and affinities than did RNP-negative sera. We therefore concluded that various combinations of antinuclear antibodies may predispose to the development of specific clinicopathological lesions in SLE.
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Warlow
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000276:immunology; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor