Fluctuations of antibody to ribosomal P proteins correlate with appearance and remission of nephritis in SLE

Abstract

Antibodies to ribosomal P proteins are found in widely variable proportions (up to 42%) of patients with SLE depending on the ethnic background of the patient population. Neuropsychiatric disease was first recognized to have increased prevalence with anti-P and more recently liver and renal disease. We describe four patients with SLE and circumscribed episodes of nephritis of relatively short duration. In two patients, antibodies to ribosomal P protein were the only specificity detected at the time of appearance of active nephritis; and in the other two patients, the appearance and disappearance of anti-ribosomal P was simultaneously found with similar fluctuations in anti- dsDNA titers. Anti-ribosomal P antibodies were measured by Western blot and a P peptide-specific ELISA. These data raise the possibility for a pathogenic role for anti-ribosomal P antibodies in lupus nephritis.