OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and antigen specificity of antihistone antibodies (AHA) in localized scleroderma. METHODS: Forty-nine serum samples from patients with localized scleroderma were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by immunoblotting. RESULTS: By ELISA, AHA were demonstrated in 47% (23 of 49) of patients with localized scleroderma and in 87% (13 of 15) of patients with generalized morphea. Immunoblotting revealed that the predominant antigens were histones H1 and H3. The presence of AHA correlated with that of anti-single-stranded DNA antibody. CONCLUSION: Some of the major antigens for antinuclear antibodies in patients with localized scleroderma are histones.
OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and antigen specificity of antihistone antibodies (AHA) in localized scleroderma. METHODS: Forty-nine serum samples from patients with localized scleroderma were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by immunoblotting. RESULTS: By ELISA, AHA were demonstrated in 47% (23 of 49) of patients with localized scleroderma and in 87% (13 of 15) of patients with generalized morphea. Immunoblotting revealed that the predominant antigens were histones H1 and H3. The presence of AHA correlated with that of anti-single-stranded DNA antibody. CONCLUSION: Some of the major antigens for antinuclear antibodies in patients with localized scleroderma are histones.