Molecular recognition patterns of serum anti-DNA topoisomerase I antibody in systemic sclerosis.
Autoreactive anti-DNA topoisomerase I (anti-Topo I) Abs are commonly detected in sera of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Our studies have established a positive correlation between the levels of serum anti-Topo I Abs and both disease severity and activity of SSc. The molecular targets of anti-Topo I Ab on Topo I domains remain to be further defined. In this report, we studied the molecular recognition pattern of serum anti-Topo I Ab in 52 SSc patients. The highest reactivity of serum anti-Topo I Abs was against the core subdomains I and II (aa 207-441) and, to a lesser extent, against the core subdomain III (aa 433-636) of Topo I. The linker domain (aa 636-712) and the C-terminal domain (aa 713-765) had much less reactivity than the core domain (aa 207-636). Strikingly, very little reactivity was directed against the N-terminal domain (aa 1-213) by serum anti-Topo I Ab. This molecular recognition pattern was consistent among all SSc serum samples studied. Results from patients with serial serum samples indicated that this pattern remained unchanged over time. Interestingly, some naive B cells from healthy controls, upon transformation by EBV, produced IgM Abs against Topo I. These Abs had low affinity for Topo I and reacted equally to all domains of Topo I. The molecular recognition pattern of serum anti-Topo I Ab in SSc suggests the presence of a unique antigenic stimulation in vivo in this disease.
Department of Immunology, Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. hu1@ncifcrf.gov
Paul Q
PQ
Hu
Noreen
N
Fertig
Thomas A
TA
Medsger
Timothy M
TM
Wright
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D000915:Antibody Affinity / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I