Anti-ribonucleoproteins autoantibodies in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Relation with cutaneous photosensitivity

PAZ ML; GONZÁLEZ MAGLIO DH; PINO M; FERRARI A; WEILL FS; NASSWETTER G; LEONI J

CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY.

SPRINGER

Año: 2010

0770-3198

Abstract A common feature between patients with a certaingroup of systemic autoimmune pathologies (SAPs) withrheumatic component, such as lupus erythematosus (LE) inall its forms, is the presence of cutaneous photosensitivity(CP) as well as the existence of autoantibodies (Aabs). TheseAabs have also high incidence in other SAPs that do notpresent CP, like primary Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoidarthritis. Cutaneous photosensitivity is a condition thatconsists of an exacerbated skin reaction to solar radiations;its incidence can reach 90% in systemic LE. The mechanismsinvolved in the development of CP have beenextensively studied focusing on different approaches; however,the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet.There are many theories that relate specifically the presenceof circulating anti-Ro/SS-A Aabs with the CP phenomenon,though there are several studies which are in disagreement.In this study, we evaluated the Aabs profile (anti-Ro/SS-A52 kDa, anti-Ro/SS-A 60 kDa, anti-La/SS-B, anti-Sm andANAs) as well as their titer or reactivity, in a local cohort of169 patients with SAPs. We related those Aabs profiles andtiters with the presence or absence of CP, and we found thatthere was no significant association between the presence ofanti-Ro/SS-A Aabs and the occurrence of CP. On the otherhand, a statistically significant positive association wasfound between CP and high reactivity anti-Sm Aabs, thoughthis fact could be biased by the incidence of both events inSLE patients. To sum up, in the particular populationstudied, there is no direct relationship between anti-Ro/SSAAabs and CP, which is in agreement with some authorsand in disagreement with many others, contributing to theendless discussion of this issue.