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Auto-anti-anti-DNA antibodies from SLE patients and normals
The Journal of Rheumatology
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibit higher levels of cross-reacting auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies against anti-ssDNA antibodies compared to healthy individuals. These findings suggest a potential role for these autoantibodies in SLE pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies.
- Anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies are a hallmark of SLE, but antibodies against single-stranded DNA (anti-ssDNA) are also present.
- The idiotype of an antibody can itself be an antigen, leading to the production of anti-idiotypic antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of cross-reacting auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies against anti-ssDNA antibodies in patients with SLE compared to normal individuals.
- To explore the potential role of these autoantibodies in the immunopathology of SLE.
Main Methods:
- Sera and immunoglobulins from SLE patients and normal controls were depleted of anti-ssDNA activity and DNA antigen.
- The inhibitory activity of depleted sera/immunoglobulins on the reaction between radiolabeled anti-ssDNA and ssDNA was measured.
- Binding of antibodies to purified F(ab')2 portions of anti-ssDNA coated on polystyrene wells was quantified.
Main Results:
- Depleted sera from SLE patients showed significantly greater inhibitory activity and antibody binding capacity compared to depleted sera from normal individuals.
- IgG from SLE sera bound to both anti-ssDNA F(ab')2 and non-anti-ssDNA F(ab')2 portions, with binding to anti-ssDNA F(ab')2 being inhibited by ssDNA.
- These findings indicate higher concentrations of cross-reacting auto-anti-anti-ssDNA antibodies and other antibodies targeting F(ab')2 portions of homologous IgG in SLE patients.
Conclusions:
- Patients with SLE have elevated levels of cross-reacting auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies against anti-ssDNA antibodies.
- These autoantibodies, along with other antibodies targeting IgG F(ab')2 regions, are more prevalent in SLE than in healthy individuals.
- The study suggests a potential contribution of these auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies to the autoimmune mechanisms in SLE.