As iconic and important diagnostic autoantibodies, anti-Ro60 and anti-Ro52/tri-partite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21) make a common appearance in a number of systemic autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These autoantibodies often co-exist together; yet despite their close relationship, there is no evidence that they are physically linked and probably reflect a convergence of separate processes of failed immunological tolerance.

Confusingly, they are sometimes classed together as the “SSA” or “Ro” autoantibody system without clear distinction between the two. In this Short Communication, we discuss the diagnostic merits for separate detection and reporting of these two autoantibodies, and discuss avenues for future research. Indeed, further insight into their fascinating origins and pathogenic roles in autoimmunity will surely shed light on how we can prevent and treat devastating autoimmune disorders.

作为标志性和重要的诊断性自身抗体，含有抗 Ro60 和抗 Ro52/三部分基序的 21 (TRIM21) 在许多系统性自身免疫性疾病如系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE) 中常见。这些自身抗体通常共存。然而，尽管它们关系密切，但没有证据表明它们在物理上存在联系，并且可能反映了免疫耐受失败的不同过程的融合。

令人困惑的是，它们有时被归为“SSA”或“Ro”自身抗体系统，两者之间没有明显区别。在这篇简短的交流中，我们讨论了分别检测和报告这两种自身抗体的诊断价值，并讨论了未来研究的途径。事实上，进一步深入了解它们在自身免疫中的迷人起源和致病作用肯定会揭示我们如何预防和治疗破坏性自身免疫性疾病。