Identification of retroviral DNA sequences in serum of cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus patients.

Discoid (DLE), discoid disseminated (DDLE) and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) are recognised as cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus (LE). It has been suggested that expression of endogenous retroviral components might induce the biosynthesis of antiDNA antibodies in LE patients. Using the dot blot hybridisation, we detected the greatest correlation between biosynthesis of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-single stranded DNA (anti-ssDNA) antibodies and the presence of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) pol sequences in DNA isolated from serum of SCLE (n = 22) patients. The same studies conducted in the groups of DLE (n = 85) and DDLE (n = 51) patients, exhibited a lower correlation between production of anti-dsDNA, anti-ssDNA and the presence of homologous HIV-1 pol sequences than in SCLE patients. Our findings suggest that the presence of endogenous retroviral sequences in patient serum may exhibit a relationship with development of cutaneous forms of LE disease.