C-type virus expression in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Kidneys from patients with lupus nephropathy, non-lupus immune-complex glomerulonephritis and other renal diseases were examined by indirect immunofluorescence for antigens related to a C-type virus from human cells (HEL-12 virus). All 11 specimens of lupus nephropathy contained HEL-12 virus antigens deposited in the same pattern as the immune complexes. The intensity of immunofluorescence with anti-HEL-12 virus serum correlated with the extent of immune-complex deposition. In contrast, nine renal lesions other than lupus nephropathy and seven normal tissues did not react with anti-HEL-12 virus serum. Antibody eluted from one kidney with lupus nephropathy reacted by indirect immunofluorescence with human and dog cells infected with HEL-12 virus but not with uninfected control cells. These findings demonstrate a specific association of lupus nephropathy with a C-type viral antigen that is deposited as antigen-antiviral antibody complex.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007106:Immune Sera; D007668:Kidney / Q000382:microbiology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007106:Immune Sera