Antihistone Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective. To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of antihistone antibodies (AHA) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. Serum samples from patients with limited cutaneous SSc (n = 44), diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc; n = 48), and other SSc-related disorders (n = 22) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting for AHA. Results. AHA were demonstrated in 29% of the 92 SSc patients and in 44% of those with dcSSc. The presence of AHA correlated with severe pulmonary fibrosis in those with dcSSc. Immunoblotting revealed that the predominant antigen was histone H1. Conclusion. AHA might be a serologic indicator of the severity of pulmonary fibrosis in SSc.