title: [Anti-DNA antibodies: structure and pathogenic role].
abstract: Anti DNA antibodies are generally classified into two major groups: Anti ds DNA (anti double .. stranded DNA) antibody and anti ss-DNA (anti single-stranded DNA) antibody. Anti-ds DNA antibodies are highly specific to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are probably involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. There are numerous serological tests for detecting anti-ds DNA. The detection of anti-ds DNA antibodies in the circulation of patients is one of the major criteria for the diagnosis of SLE; moreover, exacerbation of the disease are proceeded by increasing anti-DNA levels and the development of lupus nephritis, one of the most serious complications of the disease, strongly correlates with the presence of high avidity anti-DNA. It was reported that even normal individuals express anti-ds DNA. However, anti ds DNA found in healthy individuals is usually of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype and shows a low affinity to ds-DNA. These natural antibodies are characterized by a wide cross-reactivity and are usually encoded by gene segments in the germ line configuration. In contrast, the ds-DNA antibodies involved influenced by various findings supporting the proposition that anti-ds DNA is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, an enormous amount of scientific investigation has failed to reveal the exact mechanism through which this occurs.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Laboratoire d'Immunologie.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ayed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D007075:Immunoglobulin M