EIAgen Sm/RNP

brief description

The detection of Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANA's) has long been an important tool in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. The antigens used in their detection are purified by the saline extraction of human or animal nuclei, this has led to them being termed Extractable Nuclear Antigens (ENA's). The intracellular antigen Sm/RNP is a complex of Sm and RNP components. While the Sm antigen can exist independently, the RNP antigen exist as a part of the Sm/RNP complex. The Sm/RNP antigen complex is a target for immune response in many patients with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) and progressive Systemic Sclerosis (PSS). Studies have shown that anti-Sm/RNP antibodies occur in over 90% of MTCD cases, 35-45% of patients with SLE and approximately 30% of patients with SS. The Sm/RNP antigen is a ribonuclear protein and under Western Blot produces a band at approximately 68kD. Autoantibodies to ENA's vary depending on disease state.

intended use

The EIAgen Sm/RNP is an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for the quantitative determination of specific IgG autoantibodies to SM/RNP in human serum. The results of the anti-SM/RNP assay can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of auto-immune diseases including Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD).