Serum autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and correlation with cutaneous features

Eighty-eight untreated systemic lupus erythematosus patients collected from rheumatology services were studied for the presence of discoid, molar and vasculitic lesions and photosensitivity. Their sera were examined for antibodies to native deoxyribonucleic acid (nDNA), nuclear ribonuclear protein (nRNP), the non-nucleic acid nuclear macromolecule Sm, the nuclear and cytoplasmic macromolecules La(SSB) and the predominantly cytoplasmic macromolecule Ro(SSA). These studies demonstrated that 42% of the lupus patients possessed nDNA; 36% nRNP; 24% Ro(SSA) and 9% anti La(SSB) antibodies. Six patients failed to demonstrate significant antinuclear antibody titers (mouse liver substrate), and 4 of these possessed anti Ro(SSA) antibodies. Correlation to the cutaneous lesions among this lupus population possessing various serum antibodies revealed a trend toward photosensitivity and molar dermatitis in the Ro(SSA), La(SSB), Ro/la and the ANA negative, ANA negative/Ro positive groups of lupus patients.