The role of bacterial DNA in autoantibody induction.
Bacterial DNA has potent immunological properties that can stimulate the immune system in SLE in both specific and non-specific ways. As such, this molecule may play an important role in disease pathogenesis, because it can exert immunomodulatory activity and function as a molecular mimic. Future studies will hopefully both determine the role of foreign nucleic acids in the induction of autoantibodies and lead to strategies for their elimination.
Pisetsky
D S
DS
VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. dpiset@acpub.duke.edu
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D004269:DNA, Bacterial