Anti La(SSB) identifies a distinctive subgroup of systemic lupus erythematosus.
The relevance of antibodies for La(SSB) as a marker of a distinctive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) subset was studied in 185 lupus patients. Anti La was detected in 39 (21%) and was accompanied invariably by anti Ro. Clinically, anti La-positive patients were distinguished by a later age of disease onset, and a low frequency of lupus nephritis. In common with other anti Ro-positive patients they showed a high frequency of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Anti La identified patients with higher titres of anti Ro antibodies and was significantly associated with HLA-DR3. Serological markers such as these are useful for identifying more homogeneous populations of SLE patients for studies of aetiology and pathogenesis.
Maddison
P J
PJ
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Upper Borough Walls, Bath, UK.
Isenberg
D A
DA
Goulding
N J
NJ
Leddy
J
J
Skinner
R P
RP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000150:complications; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; C035356:SS-A antibodies; C035357:SS-B antibodies; D004247:DNA