title: Autoantibodies in vitiligo patients recognize multiple domains of the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor.
abstract: Previously, we reported the identification of autoantibodies against the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 in patients with vitiligo. In this study, the B cell epitopes on melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 that are recognized by these autoantibodies have been identified. Deletion derivatives of melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 complementary DNA were constructed and then translated in vitro with the concomitant incorporation of [35S]-methionine into the protein products. The [35S]-labeled melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 derivatives were subsequently used in radio-binding assays to investigate the reactivity of sera from nine vitiligo patients that were known to contain antibodies to the receptor. Analysis of the results obtained in the radio-binding assays suggested the existence of multiple antibody binding sites on melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1, including regions between amino acids 1 to 138 and 139 to 298. Several patients exhibited autoantibodies to more than one melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 epitope indicating a heterogeneous humoral response to the receptor. Computer prediction of the potential B cell epitopes on melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 revealed that the epitope domains identified overlapped, at least in part, with regions predicted to be highly antigenic.
authors: Division of Clinical Sciences (North), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors: Raju V S R K
authors: RV
authors: Gottumukkala
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Waterman
authors: Laura M
authors: LM
authors: Herd
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Gawkrodger
authors: Philip F
authors: PF
authors: Watson
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Weetman
authors: E Helen
authors: EH
authors: Kemp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; C092274:melanin-concentrating hormone receptor