Clinical and Diagnostic Value of Ribosomal p2 Autoantibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by production of autoantibodies directed against nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Clinically, this disorder is characterized by periods of remission and relapse (1). The early and accurate diagnosis of SLE is challenging (2). The SLE pathogenesis involves multiple cellular components of the innate and immune systems, presence of autoantibodies and immune complexes, engagement of the complement system and cytokine dysregulation (3). About 180 autoantibodies have been identified in SLE patients, 102 of which are reported to have an organ-specific correlation with SLE disease identified in SLE patients, with SLE disease activity (4). However, with the exception of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti double stranded DNA (dsDNA), anti-smith and antiphospholipid antibodies, currently proposed by the American college of rheumatology (ACR) (5)