Ro/SS-A and the pathogenic significance of its antibodies.
Ro/SS-A is a soluble cellular protein to which antibodies are frequently directed in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related disorders. The pathogenic significance of these antibodies is uncertain. Our effort to further characterize the immunological and structural nature of Ro/SS-A suggests that the native human Ro/SS-A molecule is not glycosylated and consists of two disulfide linked domains. The amino terminus of the smaller domain contains a major epitope reactive with anti-Ro/SS-A sera. We have isolated and characterized a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone which encodes the Ro/SS-A polypeptide. The Ro/SS-A gene does not appear to be highly polymorphic and exists as a single copy on the short arm of chromosome 19. The isolation of the Ro/SS-A cDNA should allow for a more complete characterization of Ro/SS-A epitopes which should help further elucidate the importance of Ro/SS-A antibodies in the pathogenesis of disease.
McCauliffe
D P
DP
Department of Dermatology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
Lux
F A
FA
Lieu
T S
TS
Sanz
I
I
Hanke
J
J
Newkirk
M M
MM
Siciliano
M J
MJ
Sontheimer
R D
RD
Capra
J D
JD
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000151:congenital / Q000276:immunology; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D004247:DNA; D000939:Epitopes; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human; C035356:SS-A antibodies