We show that lupus-specific autoimmunity evolves from a limited set of autoantigens, with most of the initiating autoantibodies being anti-60 kD Ro, anti-nRNP A, aPL or RF, but unexpectedly apparently anti-Sm and anti-nRNP 70 K being excluded as specificities that initiate lupus autoimmunity alone. This evidence concerns the gene CALR and systemic lupus erythematosus.