ANTIHISTONE ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALIZED SCLERODERMA

Objective. To study the prevalence and antigen specificity of antihist one antibodies (AHA) in localized scleroderma. Methods. Forty-nine ser um samples from patients with localized scleroderma were examined by a n enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by immunoblotting. Res ults. By ELISA, AHA were demonstrated in 47% (23 of 49) of patients wi th localized scleroderma and in 87% (13 of 15) of patients with genera lized morphea. Immunoblotting revealed that the predominant antigens w ere histones H1 and H3. The presence of AHA correlated with that of an ti-single-stranded DNA antibody. Conclusion. Some of the major antigen s for antinuclear antibodies in patients with localized scleroderma ar e histones.