Immunization with short peptides from the sequence of the systemic lupus erythematosus-associated 60-kDa Ro autoantigen results in anti-Ro ribonucleoprotein autoimmunity.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by the production of Abs to ribonucleoproteins, including Ro (or SS-A) and La (or SS-B). The mechanism by which these autoantibodies arise is unknown. We have immunized rabbits with peptides from the sequence of the 60-kDa Ro. Animals so immunized not only produce Abs to the immunogen peptide, but also develop an autoimmune response to the entire 60-kDa Ro Ag. In about 20% of these animals, autoimmunity also spreads to the La Ag. Anti-native DNA was present in one of nine rabbits. All animals had anti-nuclear Ab, but even among those immunized with the same peptides, different patterns of immunofluorescence were found. Thus, among these outbred animals immunized with peptides from 60-kDa Ro, distinct serologic manifestations were present, showing heterogeneity in the development of autoimmunity.
Scofield
R H
RH
Immunology and Arthritis Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City 73014, USA.
Henry
W E
WE
Kurien
B T
BT
James
J A
JA
Harley
J B
JB
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D011817:Rabbits; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D010455:Peptides; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human