Screening for antibodies against the PL-7 antigen is performed in the investigation of patients with possible polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and overlap syndrome.
PL-7 antibodies can be detected in < 5% of patients with inflammatory myositis (polymyositis/dermatomyositis). PL-7 antibodies are often associated with interstitial lung disease that may occur with or without myositis. The symptoms are similar to those observed when PL-12 antibodies are present. The PL-7 antigen corresponds to the thionyl-tRNA-synthase enzyme.
