[Autoantibodies against U1-n-RNP (ENA)--detection using a recombinant 70-kDa protein].

An ELISA for the demonstration of antibodies to RNP antigens (ENA) in sera of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases was developed using the recombinant 70-kDa protein, a marker antigen of U1-n-RNP. The specificity and sensitivity of the method was evaluated with 3588 patients' sera. The results were compared with those obtained by natural antigens isolated from calf thymus and Western blot analysis using HeLa-cell nuclear extracts. The test was found to be specific and sensitive and to be superior in routine laboratory screening than the other tests commonly used.