Test Summary

Autoantibodies to RNA Polymerase III antigen are found in 11% to 23% of patients with systemic sclerosis. Patients who are positive for RNA Polymerase III antibodies do not have any of the other antibodies typically found in systemic sclerosis patients such as anti-centromere, anti-Scl-70, or anti-Pm/Scl antibodies. Thus, they are a separate serologic group. Numerous studies have shown that these patients have an increased risk of the diffuse cutaneous form of scleroderma, with high likelihood of skin involvement and hypertensive renal disease.

Antibodies to several different types of RNA Polymerases are found in patients with systemic sclerosis. The immunodominant epitope or RNA Pol III was identified and cloned. The recombinant immunodominant epitope of RNA Pol III can be used in ELISA with high specificity to detect anti-RNA Pol III antibodies in patients with the diffuse cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis, with a high incidence of skin involvement.

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