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Antibodies to high mobility group proteins in systemic sclerosis
L M Ayer1, J L Sénecal, L Martin
1Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Autoantibodies to High Mobility Group (HMG) proteins, especially HMG-1 and HMG-2, are present in about one-third of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. This finding suggests transcriptional complexes may be targets in scleroderma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis.
- The role of autoantibodies in SSc pathogenesis is under investigation.
- High Mobility Group (HMG) proteins are involved in DNA binding and transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of autoantibodies against HMG proteins in patients with SSc.
- To identify specific HMG proteins targeted by autoantibodies in SSc.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 180 SSc patients and 17 Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) patients were analyzed.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect HMG autoantibodies.
- Immunoblotting was employed to confirm the specificity of HMG protein binding.
Main Results:
- HMG autoantibodies were detected in 39% of SSc sera and 41% of RP sera.
- Antibodies to HMG-1 and/or HMG-2 were found in 31% of SSc patients.
- Antibodies to HMG-14/17 were detected in 16% of SSc patients.
Conclusions:
- Autoantibodies to HMG proteins, particularly HMG-1 and HMG-2, are common in SSc.
- These findings suggest that transcriptional complexes may be targets of autoantibodies in scleroderma.
- This study represents the first report of HMG autoantibodies in scleroderma.