Open AccessSerologic subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus
Author(s) -
Bell David A.,
Maddison Peter J.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780231107
Subject(s) - mixed connective tissue disease , immunology , medicine , serology , connective tissue disease , lupus erythematosus , connective tissue , antibody , rheumatoid arthritis , systemic disease , population , immune system , rheumatoid factor , immunopathology , systemic lupus erythematosus , disease , autoimmune disease , pathology , environmental health
A search for anti‐Ro or anti‐nRNP antibodies by precipitin analysis among a population of 64 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease was undertaken. The 25% of SLE patients with anti‐Ro did not have any distinct clinical features, compared to patients without anti‐Ro or to anti‐nRNP patients with SLE or mixed connective tissue disease. However, these patients did have a significantly greater frequency of rheumatoid factor (80%). Most importantly however, patients with anti‐Ro had a significantly increased frequency of HLA‐B8 (81%) and HLA‐DRw3 (100%) compared to patients with anti‐nRNP (B8—29%; DRw3—33%) or SLE patients without such antibodies (B8—41%; DRw3—25%). These data suggest the existence of a specific immune response gene for Ro close to the D region of the major histocompatibility complex.