Anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL lpr/lpr and MRL +/+ autoimmune mice. Correlation of antibody production with delayed onset of lupus-like disease in MRL +/+ mice.
Sera from individual MRL/lpr and MRL/++ mice, which develop an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were screened over a period of approximately 30 wk for the presence of anti-RNA polymerase I and anti-ssDNA antibodies. Even though onset of the disease is delayed in MRL/++ as compared to MRL/lpr mice, anti-ssDNA antibodies were present in comparable concentrations in the sera of all mice by the age of 6 wk. As observed in sera of human SLE patients, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected in the sera of all MRL mice. However, unlike the anti-ssDNA antibodies, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected much later in MRL/++ mice (mean age, 22.8 wk) as compared to MRL/lpr mice (mean age, 9.6 wk). The presence of anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL mice was thus a much better indicator of disease status than the presence of anti-ssDNA antibodies. The appearance and increase in anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in the sera of MRL/++ mice correlated (R2 = 0.964) with a precipitous decrease in anti-ssDNA antibodies, starting at about 20 wk of age. These results suggest a possible relationship between the RNA polymerase I and DNA autoimmune reactions.
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000276:immunology*; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000276:immunology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D012318:RNA Polymerase I