Test ID SM Sm Antibodies, IgG, Serum
Useful For
Evaluating patients with signs and symptoms of a connective tissue disease in whom the test for antinuclear antibodies is positive
Testing Algorithm
See Connective Tissue Disease Cascade (CTDC) in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Multiplex Flow Immunoassay
Reporting Name
Sm Ab, IgG, SSpecimen Type
SerumContainer/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.35 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days |
Frozen | 21 days |
Clinical Information
Sm is a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein composed of several protein autoantigens designated B, B1, D, E, F, and G, which range in size from 11 kD to 26 kD. Sm antibodies are specific for lupus erythematosus (LE) and occur in approximately 30% of LE patients. The levels of Sm antibodies remain relatively constant over time in patients with LE and are usually found in patients that also have RNP antibodies.(1,2)
Sm is 1 of 4 autoantigens commonly referred to as extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs). The other ENAs are RNP, SS-A/Ro, and SS-B/La. Each ENA is composed of 1 or more proteins associated with small nuclear RNA species (snRNP) ranging in size from 80 to approximately 350 nucleotides. Antibodies to ENAs are common in patients with connective tissue diseases (systemic rheumatic diseases) including LE, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), and polymyositis/dermatomyositis.
See Connective Tissue Disease Cascade (CTDC) in Special Instructions and Optimized Laboratory Testing for Connective Tissue Diseases in Primary Care: The Mayo Connective Tissue Diseases Cascade in Publications.
Reference Values
<1.0 U (negative)
≥1.0 U (positive)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
Testing for Sm antibodies is not useful in patients without demonstrable antinuclear antibodies.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday; 4 p.m., Sunday; 11a.m.
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86235