CSF auto-antibodies linked to diffuse neuropsychiatric lupus

Auto-antibodies against ribosomal P protein are linked with diffuse neuropsychiatric syndromes in systemic lupus erythematosus (NP-SLE), according to Japanese investigators.Dr Shunsei Hirohata (Kitasato University, Kanagawa) and colleagues comment that previous studies have suggested an association between serum antibodies directed against ribosomal P protein and the development of NP-SLE. However, the role of these antibodies or even their presence in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remains uncertain.To investigate, CSF samples were obtained from 71 SLE patients [52 patients with diffuse NP-SLE and 19 patients with neurological syndromes or peripheral neuropathy [focal NP-SLE]) as well as from 24 patients with non-inflammatory neurological disease (controls)].Hirohata's group then isolated IgG antibodies to the C-terminal 22 amino acids ribosomal P synthetic peptide (anti-P-C22) and IgG antibodies to purified bovine ribosomal P proteins (anti-whole P) in the CSF specimens....