Autoantibodies from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus can affect DNA and RNA synthesis in cultured cells.
Sera reacting positively for anti-DNA antibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were tested for their effect on DNA and RNA synthesis in permeabilized cultured cells and isolated nuclei. The immunoglobulin fraction obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation of serum was shown to exert considerable influence on DNA and RNA synthesis in cultured cells and nuclei. A component of this antibody population is anti-DNA. These antibodies exert different effects on DNA template activity which is a function of their conformational specificity. Intracellular penetration of autoantibodies as noted in SLE may be one of the reasons for clinical manifestations of disease in these patients.
Van Helden
P D
PD
Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
Van Lill
L
L
Bester
A J
AJ
Hoal-Van Helden
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D009101:Multiple Myeloma; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D001323:Autoantibodies; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C019530:poly(dC-dG); D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA