| abstract |
The invention provides methods for identifying the presence of, or an increased risk of developing, organ damage in a subject having an autoimmune disease, for example, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), or other disease in which the lungs and/or kidneys are involved. In one embodiment, a significantly increased combined IgM reactivity against the peptides having the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 9, 12, and 15 in a sample obtained from a patient compared to a healthy control indicates lung damage or an increased risk of developing lung damage in the subject. In another embodiment, a significantly increased combined IgM reactivity against the peptides having the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 8, 12, 14, 15, and 17, in a sample from a patient compared to a healthy control indicates kidney damage or an increased risk of developing kidney damage in the subject. |