Progress in laboratory tests of connective tissue diseases

: The presence of serum autoantibodies to nuclear antigens (ANA) and other antigens is a hallmark of connective tissue diseases. Antibodies to double-strand DNA were present in high titers in SLE patients. Antibodies to U1RNP correlated with Raynaud's phenomenon and finger erythema in SLE patients. Anticardiolipin antibody was present in 29% of 41 SLE patients. Antibody to Scl-70 was present in 52% of 21 PSS patients. Antibody to Jo-1 was present in patients with PM associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Two of our patients with PM had an autoantibody that precipitated 7SL RNA.