Serology of Lupus Erythematosus : Correlation between Immunopathological Features and Clinical Aspects

الملخص EN

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the aberrant production of a broad and heterogenous group of autoantibodies.

Even though the presence of autoantibodies in SLE has been known, for more than 60 years, still nowadays a great effort is being made to understand the pathogenetic, diagnostic, and prognostic meaning of such autoantibodies.

Antibodies to ds-DNA are useful for the diagnosis of SLE, to monitor the disease activity, and correlate with renal and central nervous involvements.

Anti-Sm antibodies are highly specific for SLE.

Anti-nucleosome antibodies are an excellent marker for SLE and good predictors of flares in quiescent lupus.

Anti-histone antibodies characterize drug-induced lupus, while anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are associated with neonatal lupus erythematosus and photosensitivity.

Anti-ribosomal P antibodies play a role in neuropsychiatric lupus, but their association with clinical manifestations is still unclear.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies are associated with the anti-phospholipid syndrome, cerebral vascular disease, and neuropsychiatric lupus.

Anti-C1q antibodies amplify glomerular injury, and the elevation of their titers may predict renal flares.

Anti-RNP antibodies are a marker of Sharp’s syndrome but can be found in SLE as well.

Anti-PCNA antibodies are present in 5–10% of SLE patients especially those with arthritis and hypocomplementemia.