Regulatory brain specific cytoplasmic RNAS (BC RNAs) and methods of use thereof in diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric lupus

1. An immunoassay that measures the presence or concentration of an anti-BC-RNA autoantibody in a biological sample of a human subject wherein said immunoassay comprises the steps of:

(a) contacting said biological sample with a detectably labeled antigen specific for an anti-BC RNA autoantibody, said contacting being under conditions sufficient to permit anti-BC RNA autoantibody if present in said sample to bind to said antigen and form an antigen-anti-BC RNA autoantibody complex, wherein said RNA is BC1 or BC200;

(b) optionally contacting said formed antigen-anti-BC RNA autoantibody complex with an anti-BC RNA autoantibody binding molecule, said contacting being under conditions sufficient to permit said anti-BC RNA autoantibody binding molecule to bind to anti-BC RNA autoantibody of said formed antigen-anti-BC RNA autoantibody complex and form an extended complex; and

(c) determining the presence or concentration of said anti-BC RNA autoantibody in said biological sample by determining the presence or concentration of said formed detectably labeled antigen-anti-BC RNA autoantibody complex.

2. A diagnostic and prognostic method for detecting an increased risk of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE) in a subject comprising;

a) obtaining a blood sample from said subject and isolating serum therefrom;

b) contacting the serum of step a) with a detectably labeled molecule that binds an auto anti-BC RNA antibody if present, thereby forming a complex,

c) determining the amount of complex formed in said sample relative to complex formation observed in subjects selected from the group consisting of:

i. control subjects without evidence of disease;

ii. subjects diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) without evidence of Neuropsychiatric (NP); and

iii. subjects diagnosed with NPSLE

detection of complex formation at levels comparable to those observed in subjects of group iii, indicating said subject is at increased risk for the development of NPSLE.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said RNA is any isoform of the brain specific cytoplasmic RNA.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said detection is performed using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA).

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said detection is performed using foot printing.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein said detection is performed using nitrocellulose filter binding.

7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising identifying additional markers of SLE or NPSLE in said sample.