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The spindle kinesin-like protein HsEg5 is an autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus

C M Whitehead1, R J Winkfein, M J Fritzler

  • 1University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Autoantibodies targeting the mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA) can recognize HsEg5, a protein distinct from NuMA. These HsEg5 autoantibodies are less common than NuMA autoantibodies and are specifically linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Autoantibodies against the mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA) have been identified, primarily targeting the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein.
  • The existence of other antigens within the MSA targeted by autoantibodies remained to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify a second autoantigen within the mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA).
  • To determine the frequency of autoantibodies against the identified antigen, HsEg5, in human sera with an MSA staining pattern.
  • To investigate the association of HsEg5 autoantibodies with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical correlations.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of the HsEg5 antigen using cDNA library screening, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation.
  • Detection of autoantibodies against recombinant HsEg5 in 51 sera with an MSA pattern via immunoblotting.
  • Retrospective chart review to ascertain clinical features of patients with HsEg5 autoantibodies.

Main Results:

  • The human kinesin-like protein HsEg5 was identified as a novel MSA autoantigen.
  • Autoantibodies to HsEg5 were detected in 14% of sera with an MSA pattern, with 86% of these patients having SLE.
  • In an SLE cohort, 6% exhibited autoantibodies reactive to HsEg5, distinguishable from NuMA by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Conclusions:

  • Autoantibodies to the mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA) comprise at least two distinct classes: anti-NuMA and anti-HsEg5.
  • Anti-HsEg5 autoantibodies are less prevalent than anti-NuMA antibodies in MSA-pattern sera and show a specific association with SLE.
  • HsEg5 autoantibodies can be differentiated from NuMA autoantibodies using standard immunological techniques.

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