Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
13:01
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
Anti-PM/Scl-100 and anti-RNA-polymerase III antibodies in scleroderma
L Maes1, D Blockmans, P Verschueren
1Laboratory Medicine, Immunology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Summary
New immunoassays detect anti-PM/Scl-100 and anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies in systemic sclerosis (SSc). High levels of anti-PM/Scl-100 and anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies are associated with SSc, though infrequently, and may indicate interstitial lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease.
- Key autoantibodies include anti-centromere, anti-topoisomerase (Scl-70), anti-PM/Scl-100, and anti-RNA-polymerase III (RNA Pol-III).
- New ELISA immunoassays are available for anti-PM/Scl and anti-RNA Pol-III detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinical associations of anti-PM/Scl-100 (PM1-Alpha) and anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies.
- To evaluate the utility of these antibodies in diagnosing SSc and related conditions.
Main Methods:
- ELISA was used to measure antibodies to PM1-Alpha and RNA Pol-III.
- The study included 242 patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD), 70 with SSc, and 36 non-CTD controls.
Main Results:
- High levels of PM1-Alpha antibodies were found in SSc, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis (4.7% frequency).
- Anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies were detected in 7% of SSc patients and 1% of controls.
- Anti-PM1-Alpha and anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies were mutually exclusive with anti-Scl-70 antibodies and associated with interstitial lung disease when present together.
Conclusions:
- High levels of anti-PM/Scl-100 antibodies are associated with SSc, polymyositis (PM), and dermatomyositis (DM), though infrequently.
- Anti-RNA Pol-III antibodies show high specificity for SSc, detected in 7% of patients.
