title: Serology of Lupus Erythematosus: Correlation between Immunopathological Features and Clinical Aspects.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the aberrant production of a broad and heterogenous group of autoantibodies. Even though the presence of autoantibodies in SLE has been known, for more than 60 years, still nowadays a great effort is being made to understand the pathogenetic, diagnostic, and prognostic meaning of such autoantibodies. Antibodies to ds-DNA are useful for the diagnosis of SLE, to monitor the disease activity, and correlate with renal and central nervous involvements. Anti-Sm antibodies are highly specific for SLE. Anti-nucleosome antibodies are an excellent marker for SLE and good predictors of flares in quiescent lupus. Anti-histone antibodies characterize drug-induced lupus, while anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are associated with neonatal lupus erythematosus and photosensitivity. Anti-ribosomal P antibodies play a role in neuropsychiatric lupus, but their association with clinical manifestations is still unclear. Anti-phospholipid antibodies are associated with the anti-phospholipid syndrome, cerebral vascular disease, and neuropsychiatric lupus. Anti-C1q antibodies amplify glomerular injury, and the elevation of their titers may predict renal flares. Anti-RNP antibodies are a marker of Sharp's syndrome but can be found in SLE as well. Anti-PCNA antibodies are present in 5-10% of SLE patients especially those with arthritis and hypocomplementemia.
authors.affiliation: Di.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cozzani
authors.affiliation: Di.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drosera
authors.affiliation: Di.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1049-4676
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.affiliation: Di.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi