Problems in Differentiating SLE and Mixed Connective-Tissue Disease

Abstract

Although the nature of systemic lupus erythematosus still poses many mysteries, substantial progress has been made in defining specific autoantigens reactive with the serum of patients with this disease.¹ Foremost among the antinuclear antibodies, the presence of antibodies to native DNA correlates, with rare exception, with the clinical diagnosis. These antibodies to DNA are of more than diagnostic interest since the cumulative evidence is strong that the DNA-anti-DNA system is the major immune system implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis in an immunecomplex mechanism. Clearly, identification of the DNA-anti-DNA system has led to a more incisive understanding of immunopathogenetic . . .