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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
A characteristic cutaneous direct immunofluorescent pattern associated with Ro(SS-A) antibodies in subacute cutaneous
J E Valeski1, V Kumar, A B Forman
1IMMCO Diagnostics Inc., Buffalo, NY 14223.
Background:
Antibodies to Ro(SS-A) are present in most patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). Patients with SCLE also have cutaneous immune deposits. However, no correlation of Ro(SS-A) antibodies with immune deposits in skin biopsy specimens has been described.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to describe characteristic direct immunofluorescence (IF) findings in 32 patients and their association with serum antibodies and clinical diagnosis.
Methods:
Serum from patients with characteristic cutaneous direct IF findings was examined for antinuclear antibodies by indirect IF and for antibodies to ribonucleoprotein, Sm, Ro(SS-A), and La(SS-B) by gel immunodiffusion.
Results:
Twenty-two of 32 patients who exhibited discrete speckled IgG staining predominantly, but not exclusively, of the basal cell cytoplasm had SCLE. Ro(SS-A) antibodies were identified in 23 of 26 patients and Ro(SS-A) and/or La(SS-B) in 25 of 26 patients.
Conclusion:
Direct IF staining characterized by discrete speckled IgG deposits in the basal cell cytoplasm is associated with Ro(SS-A) antibodies and SCLE.
