AUTOANTIBODY TO RNA-PROTEIN COMPLEX DETECTED BY QUANTITATIVE PCR

摘要

The disclosure provides methods of detecting an autoantibody from a serum sample from a human or animal that is specific for an RNA:protein complex, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an immunoglobulin-RNA:protein aggregate, wherein said aggregate can comprise a target RNA:protein complex and an RNA:protein complex-specific antibody; (b) isolating the RNA from the immunoglobulin-RNA-protein aggregate; and (c) detecting the isolated RNA by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, whereby detection of the RNA can indicate the presence of the RNA:protein complex-specific antibody in a subject human or animal. One example of the method is configured for the detection of autoantibodies specifically binding to a U3 RNA: protein complex.