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Original article
Available online 5 October 2026

Utility of an extended 12-autoantibody panel in systemic sclerosis: Clinical and prognostic implications in a real-life cohort

Utilidad de un panel extendido de 12 autoanticuerpos en esclerosis sistémica: implicaciones clínicas y pronósticas en una cohorte de vida real
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P. López de Turiso Ginera, L. Fumanal Idocinb,
Corresponding author
luisfidocin@gmail.com

Corresponding author.
, L. Martínez-Lostaoc,d, L. Corredor Sánchezc,d, L. Sáez Cómeta,d, J. Velilla Marcod
a Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
b Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, Spain
c Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
d Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Abstract
Background and objective

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a highly heterogeneous autoimmune disease in which early prognostic stratification is essential. We analysed the clinical and evolutionary associations of 12 SSc-related autoantibodies (Scl-70, CENP-A, CENP-B, RNApol-III, U3-RNP, Th/To, NOR90, U1-RNP, PM/Scl100, PM/Scl75, Ku, and Ro52) in patients with suspected or diagnosed SSc.

Patients and methods

A study was conducted on 186 patients (110 of whom met SSc classification criteria) who tested positive for at least one of 12 antigens detected simultaneously via immunoblotting between 2019 and 2022. We analysed the phenotypic associations of each autoantibody and the time to development of interstitial lung disease (ILD) or elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP).

Results

Most patients were female (81.7%), with a mean age at onset of 50.4 ± 15.1 years. Anti-Scl-70 was associated with diffuse SSc and was the main predictor of risk for ILD (HR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.58–3.75) and elevated PASP (HR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.09–3.68). Anti-CENP antibodies were linked to limited SSc and a lower incidence of ILD and elevated PASP (HR: 0.20; P < .001 and HR: 0.33; P = .013, respectively). Anti-RNApol-III showed high early pulmonary morbidity (52.9% for ILD and 47.1% for elevated PASP), with one-third of the events occurring within the first three years of evolution. Isolated anti-Ro52 positivity was associated with lower clinical expressivity and fewer evolutionary complications.

Conclusions

Autoantibody profiling via immunoblotting identifies distinct clinical and evolutionary phenotypes in patients with suspected or diagnosed SSc. Anti-RNApol-III is associated with early pulmonary involvement, while anti-Ro52 monospecificity is linked to a more favourable clinical course.

Keywords:
Systemic sclerosis
Autoantibodies
Line immunoblotting
Interstitial lung disease
Pulmonary hypertension
Systemic autoimmune diseases
Resumen
Antecedentes y objetivo

La esclerosis sistémica (ES) es una enfermedad autoinmune muy heterogénea donde la temprana estratificación pronóstica es esencial. Analizamos las asociaciones clínicas y evolutivas de 12 autoanticuerpos relacionados con la ES (Scl-70, CENP-A, CENP-B, RNApol-III, U3 RNP, Th/To, NOR90, U1RNP, PM/Scl100, PM/Scl75, Ku y Ro52) en pacientes con sospecha o diagnóstico de ES.

Pacientes y métodos

Un total de 186 pacientes (de los que 110 cumplían criterios de ES) presentaron entre 2019 y 2022 positividad frente a al menos uno de 12 antígenos detectados simultáneamente por immunoblot. Estudiamos las asociaciones fenotípicas de cada autoanticuerpo y, el tiempo hasta el desarrollo de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa (EPID) o presión sistólica de la arteria pulmonar elevada (PSAP).

Resultados

El 81,7% fueron mujeres y la edad media al debut, 50,4 ± 15,1 años. El anti-Scl-70 se asoció con ES-difusa y fue el principal predictor de riesgo de EPID (HR: 2,43; IC 95%: 1,58–3,75) y de PSAP elevada (HR: 2,61; IC al 95% 1,09–3,68). Los anti-CENP se vincularon a ES-limitadas y menor incidencia de EPID y PSAP elevada (HR: 0,20; P < ,001 y HR: 0,33; P = ,013 respectivamente). El anti-RNApol-III mostró una elevada morbilidad pulmonar precoz (52,9% de EPID y 47,1% de PSAP elevada) con un tercio de los eventos registrados en los primeros tres años de evolución. La positividad aislada para anti-Ro52 mostró menor expresividad clínica y complicaciones evolutivas.

Conclusiones

El perfil de autoanticuerpos detectados por inmunoblot identifica distintos fenotipos clínico-evolutivos en pacientes con sospecha o diagnóstico de ES. El anti-RNApol-III se asocia a afectación pulmonar precoz, y la monoespecificidad anti-Ro52 a un curso clínico más favorable.

Palabras clave:
Esclerosis sistémica
Autoanticuerpos
Inmunotransferencia lineal
Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa
Hipertensión pulmonar
Enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas
Graphical abstract

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