Anti-Ro52 antibodies, antisynthetase antibodies, and antisynthetase syndrome

We present a case of antisynthetase syndrome manifesting with interstitial lung disease, mechanic's hands, nailfold abnormalities, and subclinical myositis, in the presence of antibodies to the aminoacyl tRNA synthetase PL-12 and also to Ro52. Antibodies to Ro52 have been recently associated with idiopathic inflammatory myositis, but there have only been occasional reports of this antibody occurring in association with aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, including PL-12. Our case adds to the descriptions of the concurrence of antibodies to PL-12 and Ro52. The mechanism for the coupling of antibody response remains elusive but is likely to play a fundamental role in disease pathogenesis.