Use of cultured epithelial cells, including keratinocytes, for the detection of antinuclear antibodies.

The use of cultured human epithelial cells as a substrate for the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) improves the sensitivity of detection above the standard substrates used. Standard antisera have been screened against a series of epithelial cell lines, including keratinocytes. Selected cells have then been used to detect ANAs in 78 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus.