Anti-Ro Profile, Ro52 and Ro60 (Anti-SS-A 52 kD and Anti-SS-A 60 kD Separately)

This profile differentiates anti-Ro antibodies into anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60, which are reported individually.

Anti-Ro occur in 60% to 90% of patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS), in 30% to 50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and less frequently in other autoimmune diseases. Historically, autoantibodies to both parts of the Ro (SS-A) antigen, Ro52 kilodaltons and Ro60 kilodaltons, have been used to comprise total anti-Ro. Now it is known that Ro52 and Ro60 proteins are not linked in the same particle. In addition, anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 antibodies are distinct from each other and have different clinical associations. The combination of both anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 antibodies is most commonly associated with the diagnoses of Sjogren’s (especially if also present with anti-La) or SLE. Ro52+Ro60+ is less frequently seen in systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases. Isolated anti-Ro60 positivity is associated most frequently with SLE and less commonly with Sjogren’s, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), overlap and other autoimmune diseases.

Isolated anti-Ro52 antibodies is most commonly associated with inflammatory myositis as well as a wider variety of other autoimmune diseases. Anti-Ro52 antibodies also confer increased risk for interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

In primary Sjogren’s, the combination of both anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 was most common with Isolated Ro52 and Ro60 antibodies being much less common (15%, 17%, respectively). About 10% of Sjogren’s patients may be negative for both types of Ro antibodies.

In lupus, both Ro52+Ro60+ antibodies (46%) and isolated anti-Ro60 (46%) are common where isolated anti-Ro52 (8%) was much less frequent. This test is two measurements: anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60, reported as individual results by chemiluminescent immunoassays.