Antibodies to Th/To ribonucleoprotein in patients with localized scleroderma.
OBJECTIVE
Antibodies to Th/To ribonucleoprotein (anti-Th/To) have been detected almost exclusively in patients with systemic sclerosis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-Th/To in patients with localized scleroderma.


METHODS
Seventy serum samples from patients with localized scleroderma were examined by RNA immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence analysis using HEp-2 cells as substrate.


RESULTS
Three (4%) of 70 sera from patients with localized scleroderma immunoprecipitated 7-2 (Th) RNA and 8-2 (To) RNA. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that all the sera positive for anti-Th/To showed mainly nucleolar staining. In one patient, the coexistence of anti-histone antibody with anti-Th/To was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-histone antibody and confirmed using an absorption test with histones followed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Moreover, the localized scleroderma patients with anti-Th/To tended to have significantly fewer sclerotic lesions than those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-Th/To is one of the serological abnormalities in localized scleroderma, and the presence of anti-Th/To may be a serological indicator of a mild form of cutaneous involvement.
Yamane
K
K
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Ihn
H
H
Kubo
M
M
Kuwana
M
M
Asano
Y
Y
Yazawa
N
N
Tamaki
K
K
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011233:Precipitin Tests / Q000379:methods; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006657:Histones; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins