Antigen association of total HEp-2 cell extract in the screening of autoimmune diseases by Western blot

Abstract

Sera from patients with autoimmune diseases and healthy individuals were comparatively analyzed by Western blot, using total extract from HEp‐2 cells as antigen. Bands between 14 and 20 kDa were present in 99% of patients with autoimmune diseases and symptomatic seronegative patients, in contrast to only 4% of healthy controls. No bands were detected in the remaining 96% of healthy controls. We propose these antigens as pathologically important for the diagnostic screening of patients with suspected autoimmune disease. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.