Induction of anti-DNA antibodies in preautoimmune NZBxNZW F1 mice by immunization with a DNA-DNase I complex.
Recent studies suggest that anti-DNA antibodies may arise from the immune response to a complex of DNA and a DNA-binding protein. One of the protein targets frequently recognized by anti-DNA antibodies is the enzyme DNase I. To investigate the possible role of DNase I in the induction of anti-DNA antibodies, we immunized preautoimmune NZBxNZW F1 mice with a complex of DNA and DNase I emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Control mice received DNA or DNase in adjuvant. IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies were induced in 50% of the mice immunized with DNA-DNase, in 25% of the mice immunized with DNase and in 6% of the mice immunized with DNA. However, immunized mice that produced anti-DNA antibodies did not develop renal disease. These data show that a DNA-binding protein like DNase may act as carrier in the immune response that leads to anti-DNA antibodies production in an autoimmune strain, but the induced anti-dsDNA antibodies have a low pathogenic potential.
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
D
D
Chimenti
B
B
Marchini
S
S
Manzini
S
S
Bombardieri
P
P
Migliorini
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D020298:U937 Cells
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009707:Nucleosomes; D004247:DNA; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I