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Anti-p57: a novel association with neonatal lupus
P J Maddison1, L Lee, M Reichlin
1Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Mothers with IgG antibodies to a specific 57-kD protein may pass them to their babies, potentially causing congenital heart block. These antibodies, distinct from Ro/SSA, are linked to neonatal lupus risk in anti-Ro-positive women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Health
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Congenital heart block (CHB) is a serious condition in newborns.
- Maternal autoantibodies are implicated in CHB and neonatal lupus (NL).
- Ro/SSA and La/SSB antibodies are known risk factors for CHB and NL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a 57-kD protein (p57) targeted by maternal IgG antibodies.
- To investigate the association of anti-p57 antibodies with CHB and NL.
- To determine if anti-p57 antibodies represent an independent risk factor for NL.
Main Methods:
- Immunoblotting to detect IgG antibodies against p57 in maternal and cord blood sera.
- Screening of a human cDNA library to identify and clone the p57 antigen.
- Partial sequencing of cDNA inserts to compare with known antigens.
- Analysis of anti-p57 antibody prevalence in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mothers of infants with NL.
Main Results:
- IgG antibodies to p57 were detected in a mother of an infant with CHB, but not in cord blood, suggesting antibody consumption.
- Cloned gene products reacted with the 57-kD band, confirming p57 as the antigen.
- Partial sequences of p57 differed from Ro/SSA and La/SSB.
- Anti-p57 antibodies were found in 10% of SLE sera, often with anti-Ro(SSA), and in 38% of mothers with infants exhibiting cardiac or cutaneous NL.
Conclusions:
- A novel 57-kD protein (p57) is recognized by maternal IgG antibodies associated with CHB.
- Anti-p57 antibodies may be an additional risk factor for neonatal lupus in anti-Ro-positive women.
- The disappearance of anti-p57 antibodies from cord blood suggests a role in disease pathogenesis.