["Autoantibodies" and cell aging. Does malonic dialdehyde constitute an immunological marker of cell aging?]

Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, reacts with free amino groups of proteins to give amino-3-iminopropene (AIP) bridges which are immunogenic. Antibodies reacting specifically with MDA-crosslinked proteins preexist in the sera of healthy human subjects, and we hypothesize that they are implicated in processes of senescent cells recognition and elimination. Results obtained by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry show an immunological response against structures arising on cell membranes from MDA reaction with free amino groups of proteins. Such structures might also be implicated in autoimmunity.