Enhanced expression of nucleobindin in lymphatic organs of lupus-prone mice.
Nucleobindin (Nuc) was originally identified as a 55 kDa protein that enhanced anti-DNA antibody production in cultures of autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse spleen cells. cDNA cloning and the production of recombinant protein (rNuc) have revealed that rNuc binds to DNA and Ca2+ by means of leucine zipper and EF-hand motif structures. In vitro and in vivo effects of rNuc to induce autoantibodies including anti-dsDNA antibody in normal mice have been demonstrated; however, whether Nuc is involved in the state of autoimmunity occurred in MRL/lpr, C3H/gld and male BXSB mice has not been elucidated. Here we report that the expression of Nuc mRNA is upregulated with age in the lymphatic organs and is positively correlated to the serum levels of Nuc in these lupus-prone strains of mice. Upon immunization with KLH in Freund's complete adjuvant, normal BALB/c mice also showed an elevated level of Nuc in their serum and elevated Nuc mRNA in their lymphatic organs. In addition, in vitro stimulation of BALB/c splenocytes with Con A or LPS remarkably enhanced Nuc mRNA expression. These results suggest that upregulation of Nuc mRNA in lymphatic organs and serum Nuc of lupus-prone mice is related to spontaneous activation of immunocompetent cells; the present data are also consistent with our previous hypothesis on the role of Nuc in the induction or enhancement of autoimmunity in lupus models of mice.
Iizuka
H
H
First Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Kubota
T
T
Satake
F
F
Hirokawa
G
G
Miura
K
K
Kurosawa
Y
Y
Miyasaka
N
N
Kanai
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D016350:Leucine Zippers; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000080866:Nucleobindins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000080866:Nucleobindins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins