Significance of tubuloreticular structures in infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus and their mothers with Sjögren's syndrome.

Abstract

Four infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus who had annular erythema on the trunk and face reacted positively to tests for anti-Ro(SS-A)/La(SS-B) antibodies. Electron microscopic examination of vascular endothelial cells in the annular erythema revealed the presence of tubuloreticular structures. Once anti-Ro(SS-A)/La(SS-B) antibodies had turned negative, these tubuloreticular structures were no longer evident in the vascular endothelial cells in the same area where annular erythema had been present. Mothers of these 4 infants reacted positively to anti-Ro(SS-A)/La(SS-B) antibodies, but had no sicca syndrome. A biopsy taken from the minor salivary gland of the lip of each mother revealed marked periductal mononuclear cell infiltration. Primary subclinical Sjögren's syndrome was confirmed. Tubuloreticular structures were also observed in the vascular endothelial cells in the region of the minor salivary gland. These findings suggest that the presence of tubuloreticular structures may be related to anti-Ro(SS-A)/La (SS-B) antibodies.