Antinuclear Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis: an Update.
- Authors
- Type
- Published Article
- Journal
- Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2020
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 40–51
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1007/s12016-018-8718-8
- PMID: 30607749
- Source
- Medline
- Keywords
- Language
- English
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of skin and internal organs, vasculopathy, and dysregulation of immune system. A diagnostically important feature of immunological abnormalities in systemic sclerosis is the presence of circulating antinuclear antibodies, which may be detected in 90-95% of patients with either of the four main laboratory methods: immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunodiffusion, and immunoblotting. There are several antinuclear antibodies specific for systemic sclerosis. These include antibodies against topoisomerase (anti-TOPO I), kinetochore proteins (ACA), RNA polymerase enzyme (anti-RNAP III), ribonuclear proteins (anti-U11/U12 RNP, anti-U1 RNP, anti-U3 RNP) and nucleolar antigens (anti-Th/To, anti-NOR 90, anti-Ku, antiRuvBL1/2, and anti-PM/Scl). Autoantibodies specific for systemic sclerosis have been linked to distinct clinical features. Therefore, detecting a particular antibody type is important in predicting a possible organ involvement and prognosis and may have an impact on monitoring and treatment.