ANTIBODY TO RIBOSOMES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS - DEMONSTRATION BY IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE AND PRECIPITATION IN AGAR

Antibody to ribosomes was demonstrated in 51% of 41 patients with SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus] by means of an indirect immunofluorescence spot test. The antibody appears to be relatively specific for SLE, and when used in conjunction with a more sensitive test such as the fluorescent antinuclear antibody test should prove useful in diagnostic serology. The antibody could be demonstrated by precipitation in agar if the titer by the immuno-fluorescence spot test was 1: 256 or greater. The ribosomal constituent with which the lupus sera react is susceptible to digestion by either RNase or trypsin and migrates toward the cathode in agar gel electrophoresis.