Presence of nucleosome-restricted antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether nucleosome-restricted antibodies, i.e., antibodies that react with the whole nucleosome particle but not with its individual components (double-stranded DNA [dsDNA] and histones), are present in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using purified nucleosomes, dsDNA, or histones. These tests were applied to the sera of 40 patients with SLE. Protein G-purified IgGs of representative sera were sequentially adsorbed on dsDNA- and histone-conjugated solid-phase supports and further assayed for their nucleosome, dsDNA, and histone reactivities.


RESULTS
Of the 40 sera tested, 16 displayed anti-dsDNA and/or antihistone antibody activity, which was always associated with significant antinucleosome reactivity. In addition, 3 sera showed antinucleosome activity that was not associated with concomitant anti-dsDNA or antihistone activity. The presence of true nucleosome-restricted antibodies was demonstrated, after solid-phase adsorption, in representative SLE sera that showed anti-dsDNA or antihistone antibody activity, and also in sera that did not show these activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide evidence for the presence of nucleosome-restricted antibodies in patients with lupus. These nucleosome-restricted antibodies, along with anti-dsDNA and antihistone antibodies, appear to belong to a broad set of antinuclear antibodies, the antinucleosome family.
Chabre
H
H
Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
Amoura
Z
Z
Piette
J C
JC
Godeau
P
P
Bach
J F
JF
Koutouzov
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D006657:Histones; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009707:Nucleosomes