RNA polymerase III autoantibodies may indicate renal and more severe skin involvement in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multiorgan autoimmune disorder characterized by sclerosis of the skin and organs as well as the presence of antinuclear autoantibodies. Several types of antinuclear autoantibodies have been described in SSc, associated with distinct disease entities and differences in prognosis.

Methods: The aim of this study was to screen for the presence of antibodies reacting with RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP3) in a large cohort of patients with SSc treated at a tertiary referral center and to evaluate correlations with disease severity.