Objective To construct a baculovirus expression vector for expression of human Ro60 cDNA. Methods Ro60 cDNA was cloned from Hela cell RNA with RT-PCR and was inserted into plasmid pFastBac HTc. Plasmid pFastBac HTc-Ro60 was then transformed into E. coli DH10Bac competent cells for transposition. The constructed recombinant was determined by both blue-white colony screening and PCR analysis. Results A 1.56kb Ro60 cDNA was obtained from Hela cell RNA and was successfully inserted to plasmid pFastBac HTc. DNA sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis revealed that both open reading frame and sequence of the cDNA were identical to Ro60 sequence previously published. Specific transposition and virus recombination were obtained in the vector Bacmid-Ro60. Conclusion Ro60 cDNA has been successfully cloned and constructed to baculovirus expression vector, which is useful for protein expression and further study of this autoantigen in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus.

Objective To investigate the prognosis of two subtypes of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). Methods Forty patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus were followed-up for 3 to 14 years. The clinical and laboratory findings, the response to treatment and the prognosis in these cases were comparatively analyzed. Results During the follow-up period, the patients with annular erythema subtype of SCLE showed recurrent annular skin lesions and mild systemic manifestations. Some patients gradually developed sicca symptoms. On the other hand, most patients with papulosquamous subtype of SCLE developed systemic LE manifestions. 21.7％ of the patients in the annular erythema group had mild nephritis which could be controlled by lower dose of corticosteroids and no patients died. However, 64.7％ of the patients in the papulosquamous group had moderate to severe lupus nephritis, which required higher dose of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents to control. Among them, One patient died and 3 patients developed uremia. Conclusion Annular erythema subtype of SCLE is milder and has a better prognosis than that of papulosquamous subtype.