Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus using protein, peptide and oligonucleotide antigens
Methods and kits for diagnosing or monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a subject are provided. Particularly, provided is a specific antibody reactivity profile useful in diagnosing or monitoring SLE in a subject.
1. A method of detecting the levels of:
IgG antibodies reactive to ssDNA, IgG antibodies reactive to U1 snRNP, and IgG antibodies reactive to Sm; and
IgM antibodies reactive to Histone III-S, IgM antibodies reactive to U1 snRNP, and IgM antibodies reactive to an oligonucleotide antigen of the nucleic acid sequence TTA GGG TTA GGG TTA GGG TTA GGG (SEQ ID NO: 6, Oligo21),
in a sample of a subject having or suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the method comprising:
(i) obtaining a serum, plasma, or blood sample from the subject;
(ii) exposing antibodies in the sample to ssDNA, Sm, Histone III-S, U1 snRNP, and Oligo21; and
(iii) detecting in the sample the levels of:
IgG antibodies reactive to ssDNA, IgG antibodies reactive to U1 snRNP and IgG antibodies reactive to Sm; and
IgM antibodies reactive to Histone III-S, IgM antibodies reactive to U1 snRNP and IgM antibodies reactive to Oligo21,
by quantifying the amount of antigen-antibody complex formed for each antigen, wherein the amount of antigen-antibody complex is indicative of the level of each respective antibody in said sample.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sample is a serum sample.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antigens are provided in the form of an antigen array, or an antigen chip.