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Autoantibodies to nucleosomes and histone-DNA complexes
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Autoimmune diseases feature autoantibodies targeting nucleosomes. This study characterizes complex nucleosome determinants and autoantibody genes, offering insights into antinuclear autoantibody origins.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by autoantibodies against nucleosome antigens.
- Previous research focused on epitopes of individual chromatin components, neglecting multimolecular interactions.
- Anti-nucleosome antibodies are significant in spontaneous and drug-induced lupus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize complex epitopes arising from multimolecular interactions within nucleosomes.
- To sequence the variable region genes of autoantibodies targeting nucleosome determinants.
- To explore the implications for the origin of antinuclear autoantibodies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized monoclonal anti-nucleosome antibodies from autoimmune mice.
- Characterized complex determinants formed by interactions between nucleosome elements (DNA and histones).
- Sequenced variable region genes of the autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- Identified and characterized complex epitopes resulting from multimolecular interactions.
- Sequenced variable region genes of autoantibodies, providing molecular details.
- Demonstrated the prevalence of anti-nucleosome antibodies in lupus.
Conclusions:
- Multimolecular interactions within nucleosomes form critical autoantibody determinants.
- Characterization of autoantibody genes offers insights into their origin.
- Findings advance understanding of antinuclear autoantibody pathogenesis in autoimmune diseases.