Development of the anti-Ro autoantibody response in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the initial events in anti-Ro production by a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, in whom this autoantibody is developing.


METHODS
The immune response to the Ro ribonucleoprotein and other autoantigens were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG and IgM, by isoelectric focusing, and by inhibition studies to determine apparent avidity.


RESULTS
The patient's sera showed an oligoclonal response to Ro that increased in complexity and affinity with time. IgM anti-Ro appeared shortly before IgG anti-Ro, and disappeared as IgG anti-Ro increased in titer and affinity. IgG antiribosomal P autoantibodies also appeared during the patient's course, but in contrast to anti-Ro, were not preceded by IgM antiribosomal P.


CONCLUSIONS
These data are consistent with the Ro autoantigen being presented and processed in a manner similar to heterologous antigen, and with differences in the mechanisms that lead to the production of IgG anti-Ro autoantibodies as opposed to antiribosomal P autoantibodies.
Scofield
R H
RH
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.
Zhang
F
F
Kurien
B T
BT
Anderson
C J
CJ
Reichlin
M
M
Harley
J B
JB
Stafford
H A
HA
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human