No demonstrable relationship between IgM and IgG antinuclear antibody levels and acetylator phenotype in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

To ascertain the possible influence of acetylator phenotype on antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we assayed sera from 11 rapid acetylators and 10 slow acetylators for IgM and IgG antibodies to chromatin, histones, denatured DNA, and native DNA. Whereas the majority of SLE patients of both acetylator phenotypes had elevated levels of antibodies to all 4 antigens compared with normal controls, there was no difference in antibody activities between slow acetylator patients versus rapid acetylator patients for these antigens. We conclude that levels of antibody to chromatin, histones, and DNA in SLE patients are similar irrespective of acetylator phenotype, and that if a protective effect of slow acetylation on spontaneous development of antinuclear antibodies does occur, a prospective study of presymptomatic individuals at high risk for lupus may be required to reveal this effect.