The clinical significance of autoantibodies to soluble cellular antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The relationships between autoantibodies to soluble cellular antigens and clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were investigated in a large clinical-serological study. The absence of these precipitins in serum was associated with a low prevalence of vasculitis and membranous nephropathy (MGN). Other significant findings were the associations between nRNP antibody and Raynaud's phenomenon and MGN, SSB antibody and sicca complex, PCNA antibody and a young age at onset, and Bu antibody and an old age at onset. However, the most impressive findings were in DA1-positive patients which showed a unique prevalence of photosensitive skin lesions, lymphoadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. The present study confirms the usefulness of antibodies to soluble cellular antigens in the classification of patients with SLE.