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Mink with Aleutian disease have autoantibodies to some autoantigens
S Mouritsen1, B Aasted, M Høier-Madsen
1Department of Clinical Immunology, State Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Thirty mink infected with Aleutian disease virus (ADV) were found to have elevated levels of antibody to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in their sera when compared to 30 healthy mink. The anti-dsDNA antibody levels in the diseased mink were, however, not found to correlate with the total amount of immunoglobulin. This was a common observation for all autoantibodies tested. The concentration of rheumatoid factors of IgG class, but not those of IgM class, was found to be significantly higher in the diseased mink at the chosen level of significance (P less than 0.01). IgG antibodies to thyroglobulin were likewise significantly higher in the ADV-infected mink. Unexpectedly, we found IgG antibodies with specificities for cardiolipin and mitochondrial antigens to be significantly higher in healthy mink than in ADV-infected mink. This difference is especially remarkable since the serum immunoglobulin concentration of the ADV-infected mink was three times higher than the serum immunoglobulin concentration of the normal mink.
Insights
Aleutian disease virus (ADV) infection in mink leads to increased antibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and rheumatoid factors. However, healthy mink showed higher levels of antibodies to cardiolipin and mitochondrial antigens.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Virology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Aleutian disease virus (ADV) is a parvovirus affecting mink, causing chronic disease.
- Autoantibodies are frequently observed in autoimmune and chronic infectious diseases.
- Immunoglobulin levels and specific autoantibody profiles in ADV-infected mink are not fully characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the profile of autoantibodies in mink naturally infected with Aleutian disease virus (ADV).
- To compare autoantibody levels between ADV-infected and healthy mink.
- To determine the relationship between autoantibody levels and overall immunoglobulin concentration in ADV infection.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 30 ADV-infected mink and 30 healthy mink.
- Levels of antibody to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), rheumatoid factors (IgG and IgM classes), antibodies to thyroglobulin, cardiolipin, and mitochondrial antigens were measured.
- Total immunoglobulin concentration was also determined for all samples.
Main Results:
- ADV-infected mink exhibited significantly higher levels of antibodies to dsDNA compared to healthy mink.
- Concentrations of IgG-class rheumatoid factors and IgG antibodies to thyroglobulin were significantly elevated in ADV-infected mink.
- Conversely, healthy mink showed significantly higher levels of IgG antibodies to cardiolipin and mitochondrial antigens than ADV-infected mink, despite higher overall immunoglobulin levels in infected animals.
Conclusions:
- ADV infection in mink is associated with a distinct autoantibody profile, including elevated anti-dsDNA, anti-thyroglobulin, and IgG rheumatoid factor antibodies.
- The unexpected finding of higher anti-cardiolipin and anti-mitochondrial antibodies in healthy mink warrants further investigation.
- These findings contribute to understanding the complex immune response during Aleutian disease virus infection.