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Novel facts about an old marker: the LE cell
A Ruiz-Argüelles1, D Alarcón-Segovia
1Laboratorios Clínicos de Puebla, México. aruiz1@prodigy.net.mx
Summary
Lupus erythematosus (LE) cells are not formed by phagocytosis of bare nuclei. Instead, LE cells engulf apoptotic blebs from cells undergoing cell death after anti-DNA antibody penetration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- The lupus erythematosus (LE) cell phenomenon has historically been attributed to neutrophils phagocytosing extracellular nuclear material opsonized by antinuclear antibodies.
- This traditional understanding has been challenged by findings indicating that antinuclear antibodies can penetrate viable cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the mechanism of LE cell formation.
- To investigate the role of anti-DNA antibodies in cell death and the subsequent formation of LE cells.
- To explore the pathophysiological significance of antibodies targeting intracellular antigens in autoimmune diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of previous findings on antinuclear antibody cell penetration and induced cell death.
- Analysis of recent evidence identifying engulfed material in LE cells as apoptotic blebs.
Main Results:
- Certain antinuclear antibodies, particularly anti-DNA antibodies, can enter viable cells.
- Antibody penetration leads to protracted active cell death.
- The material phagocytosed to form LE cells are apoptotic blebs, representing remnants of antibody-damaged cells.
Conclusions:
- The classical interpretation of LE cell formation is inaccurate.
- LE cells are formed from the phagocytosis of apoptotic blebs resulting from antibody-induced cell death.
- Antibodies targeting intracellular antigens may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus.